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New York Times
35 minutes ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Ravens TE Isaiah Likely goes down with ankle injury, marring spirited practice
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely went down with an ankle injury on one of the final plays of Tuesday's session and was carted off the field, which marred an otherwise spirited practice. Likely was hurt while being matched up with safety Sanoussi Kane in a one-on-one portion of practice. He was in visible pain as he limped into the locker room. Advertisement Ravens coach John Harbaugh said after practice that Likely rolled his ankle and would get an MRI on Wednesday to determine the severity of the injury. 'We'll know more tomorrow,' Harbaugh said. 'It's going to be a few weeks, though. He rolled his ankle — the foot area. So, we'll get an MRI tomorrow and see exactly what needs to be done, but it'll be a few weeks. It's good that it's this early in camp.' It's a difficult start heading into a 'contract year' for Likely, who is considered an ascending player after he caught 42 passes for 477 yards and six touchdowns last season. The Ravens have interest in extending the 2026 free agent, but there have been no indications that a deal is close. With Likely, Mark Andrews and Charlie Kolar, the Ravens have arguably the best tight end group in the league. They have the tight ends and wide receivers to compensate for Likely's absence in the short term. However, it would be a significant blow to the team if he were forced to miss a lot of regular-season time. Likely's speed and pass-catching ability create mismatches, and his rapport with quarterback Lamar Jackson has grown yearly. The Ravens made an interesting hire this offseason, bringing in longtime NFL referee Tony Michalek, who retired following the 2024 season after 23 years as an umpire. Michalek has been with the Ravens throughout training camp. Baltimore was among the league leaders in penalties last year, and the coaching staff has prioritized fixing that heading into the upcoming season. The addition of Michalek is part of that focus. He'll help the team out during the season with rules interpretations and penalty explanations, and he'll be a sounding board for players and the coaching staff. Michalek has been keeping a particularly close eye on Baltimore's kicking operation during camp. Advertisement Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott made a similar move last year, bringing in longtime NFL referee John Parry. In one two-play sequence on Tuesday, Ravens rookie outside linebacker Mike Green chased down a running play on the backside and then beat rookie tackle Carson Vinson inside to put pressure on quarterback Cooper Rush. There have been plays in every practice where Green shows why he was widely considered one of the most skilled pass rushers in the 2025 NFL Draft. There are also plays where Green reminds you he's still a rookie with much to learn. On Monday, he was sucked inside on a few plays and knocked to the ground by Vinson on another. 'Mike is earning his stripes,' pass rush coach Chuck Smith said after Tuesday's practice. 'Mike's a rookie, so Mike has to play his position, get in line like any other rookie. But Mike is going out there, competing at a high level. Mike can rush. Mike is strong at the point of attack on the run. What I like most about Mike is he just gives great effort.' Ravens coaches in recent days have been measured about Green, and the reminders that he is still a rookie have come often. However, it's undeniable that he's looked like a different player since the pads came on. 'He's taking his lumps, but he's also giving out his lumps,' Smith said. 'I don't think he was overwhelmed.' • Ravens second-year receiver Devontez Walker continues to look like Baltimore's most improved player since last season. He's followed up a strong offseason by seemingly making a few plays in every practice. His productive Tuesday afternoon included catching a touchdown from Rush over cornerback Nate Wiggins in the back of the end zone, corralling a short touchdown throw from Jackson in a red zone drill and making a difficult sliding catch in front of first-round safety Malaki Starks. Walker, a 2024 fourth-round pick, had just one catch, a 21-yard touchdown against the New York Giants, in his rookie season. The Ravens' top three receivers are pretty much set with Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman and DeAndre Hopkins, but Walker could push for playing time. Have a day @DevontezWalker — Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) July 29, 2025 • The Ravens and every other NFL team have a non-negotiable rule in training camp: you do not hit the quarterback. Baltimore's defense certainly understands not to make contact with Jackson, as the consequences would be significant. But Starks and Wiggins were probably too cautious around the quarterback on Tuesday, and it cost the defense an 80-yard touchdown run. During a team drill, Starks and Wiggins were in position to make a play on a scrambling Jackson, but they both pulled up so as not to make any contact with the quarterback. Meanwhile, Jackson never stopped running, somersaulting into the end zone to the delight of the crowd. While Andrews and left tackle Ronnie Stanley ran downfield to celebrate with Jackson, several defenders argued with Harbaugh that the play should have been blown dead. Safety Kyle Hamilton was the most vocal dissenter. Harbaugh ultimately walked over to the defensive sideline to provide an explanation. 'We're obviously not going to tackle Lamar,' a smiling Harbaugh said after the workout. 'That's not going to be part of the plan.' .@Lj_era8's TD run was so good even Jaire celebrated 😂😂 — Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) July 29, 2025 • In pads for a second straight day, several Ravens defenders did hit teammates. Kane dropped a shoulder into running back Marcus Major just as the rookie was heading out of bounds. Major crashed into the temporary fence set up next to the field. Safety Beau Brade also delivered a hard hit on running back Keaton Mitchell, who has been the recipient of a few physical tackles since the pads came on. • With middle linebacker Roquan Smith blitzing through the A gap, Jackson took a step to his right and lofted a throw in the direction of a well-covered Hopkins. Hopkins made a one-handed snag. It didn't produce many yards, but it was fun to watch nonetheless. • Roquan Smith was all over the field early in the practice. He came in untouched on a few plays, knocked Derrick Henry down on one blitz and blew up a screen pass to Justice Hill. Smith said he focused on taking care of his body and getting into better shape this offseason. It's been noticeable in training camp. Advertisement • It was John Hoyland's day to kick with Tyler Loop getting the day off. The rookie out of Wyoming went 5-of-6 on field goal attempts, with his long coming from 48 yards and his miss coming from 51. • Bateman (illness) and cornerback Jaire Alexander (knee drained) returned to practice after missing Monday's session. Jackson tested Alexander, his ex-Louisville teammate, on the first play of full-team work. Alexander forced an incompletion while matched up against Walker. The only Ravens on the active roster not practicing were wide receiver Keith Kirkwood and cornerbacks Bilhal Kone (shoulder) and Jalyn Armour-Davis. Armour-Davis was injured early in Monday's practice and had an MRI, but Harbaugh wasn't aware of the results when he spoke to reporters following Tuesday's workout.
USA Today
4 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Ravens hire NFL referee Tony Michalek to work with the team on rules interpretations
The Ravens have hired longtime NFL referee/umpire Tony Michalek to work with the team and help out with rules interpretations/penalty explanations, and prevention, Jeff Zrebiec reports. Baltimore was one of the most penalized teams in the NFL last season, and with John Harbaugh looking to be more efficient, the Ravens have hired longtime NFL referee/umpire Tony Michalek to work with the team and help out with rules interpretations/penalty explanations, and prevention, Jeff Zrebiec reports. Michalek has been with the team throughout training camp. According to Sharp Football Analysis, the Ravens finished the 2024 season ranking fourth in penalties per game average. Baltimore's per-game average declined in the second half of the season, and hiring Michalek could be a part of the carryover from the improvement. The move is similar to what the Buffalo Bills did in hiring John Parry last year. According to Football Zebras, Michalek retired from the NFL back in April after 23 seasons as an umpire. He wore number 115 his entire career, serving on crews led by Gerry Austin, Bill Carollo, Bill Vinovich, John Parry, Gene Steratore, Ron Winter, Jerome Boger, John Hussey, Brad Rogers, and Tra Blake. During his career, he worked 12 playoff games – three wild card games, six divisional playoffs, two conference championship games, and Super Bowl XLII.
Reuters
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Ravens TE Isaiah Likely (ankle) out 'a few weeks'
July 29 - Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely injured his ankle near the end of practice on Tuesday and will be out "a few weeks," coach John Harbaugh said. "We'll know more tomorrow. It's going to be a few weeks, though," Harbaugh said. "(Likely) rolled his ankle, foot area. We'll get an MRI tomorrow and see exactly what needs to be done. But it'll be a few weeks. It's good that it's this early in camp." Likely, 25, played in 16 regular-season games (nine starts) last season and caught 42 of 58 targets for 477 yards and six touchdowns. He also had seven receptions on nine targets for 126 yards and one TD in two playoff games last season. He has 108 career receptions for 1,261 yards and 14 touchdowns in 49 regular-season games (19 starts), and another 11 catches for 176 yards and two scores in five postseason games (one start). The Ravens selected Likely in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Coastal Carolina. --Field Level Media
USA Today
5 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Ravens Pro Bowler still agonizes over Baltimore's missed opportunity
Lingering pain remains for Marlon Humphrey after the most recent playoff collapse. 'From a fan perspective it's like: 'How can these guys just move on?'''Still thinking about that loss.'Really loved Marlon Humphrey's candor on how the Ravens' postseason losses affect him, as well as how the loaded team moves interview:… Much of the Baltimore Ravens' fan base prepares for another regular season. Fantasy football is a topic of conversation, and so are Madden NFL ratings. Somehow, in terms of the latter, Derrick Henry has been left off the famed 99 club. How is that even possible? Then again, their ratings adjustor is a Cincinnati Bengals legend. No one is accusing Chad Johnson of collusion. We sometimes spend so much time diminishing our favorite NFL stars to Madden ratings and Fantasy points that we sometimes forget they are human, just like we are. They're fueled by success. They're heartbroken by disappointment. Marlon Humphrey still struggles with the Ravens' playoff failures Fans will often tell you that they care more about the game than the stars who play in it. Fans believe NFL stars care only about their next extension. While that may be true in some cases, more often than not, our favorite Ravens find no pleasure in failure. Look no further than a recent conversation between Mina Kimes and Matlon Humphrey for evidence. Let this be a lesson to many of you. Yes, this game doubles as these guys' profession, but it's also a game they have played since they were youths. As shocking as this may be to some of you, there's no way you can be more devastated by a loss than the Ravens. They give everything of their bodies for three hours. It's July. The Ravens have entered another training camp, yet Humphrey is still bothered by the most recent Divisional Round loss. Don't believe that? Ask yourselves a question. How can these guys be this competitive, see an opportunity for glory, and walk away feeling nothing when things don't go as expected? Occasionally, we've heard guys who have reached the mountaintop say the agony of losing the Super Bowl far outweighs the elation felt by raising the Lombardi Trophy. That sometimes never made sense before. It makes perfect sense now. Oh well... We know the drill. The Ravens must dust themselves off. They must refocus on the here and now. They must do all they can to get to football's biggest game on February 8 and win it all. That won't erase the pain of playoff misses, but it will dry the tears a tad. The three preseason games approach. Then, we dive headfirst into the 18-week, 17-game season. Expect the best effort from Humphreay and his Ravens teammates.
USA Today
5 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Isaiah Likely injury update: Ravens TE (ankle) out 'a few weeks'
The Baltimore Ravens are dealing with a key injury to one of their top offensive playmakers early during 2025 training camp. Tight end Isaiah Likely suffered an injury during the team's Tuesday practice. It occurred while Likely was engaged in a one-on-one rep with Ravens safety Sanoussi Kane, per The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec. Likely, 25, was carted off the field because of the injury. He was seen limping into the facility after getting off the cart. Here is the latest on Likely's injury and what it might mean for the Ravens. Isaiah Likely injury update Ravens coach John Harbaugh announced after practice that Likely had "rolled his ankle" at the end of practice. The fourth-year veteran is slated to have an MRI on Wednesday. "We'll know more tomorrow," Harbaugh told reporters of Likely's injury. "It is gonna be a few weeks though." Harbaugh also noted it was "good" Likely's injury happened early during Ravens camp. That may allow the 25-year-old to return to the field with plenty of time to ramp up for Week 1. Likely set career-best marks across the board for the Ravens in 2024, logging 42 catches for 477 yards and six touchdowns. The Ravens will likely rely on Charlie Kolar – who, like Likely, was selected in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft – to serve as their foil to Mark Andrews as long as Likely is sidelined. NFL OFFSEASON GRADES: Just two teams get A's as training camp arrives Ravens TE depth chart Below is a look at the Ravens' tight end depth chart for the 2025 NFL season.
