Sophia
Baltimore, MD – The Baltimore Ravens will be without a key offensive weapon as they open their 2025 season against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday night. Pro Bowl tight end Isaiah Likely is reportedly not expected to play in the highly anticipated Week 1 matchup, according to NFL Media. Likely is still recovering from a broken bone in his foot, an injury sustained during training camp that required surgery just over a month ago.
Likely’s Road to Recovery and Impact on the Offense
The former Coastal Carolina standout had to be carted off the field during a training camp practice, sparking immediate concern. While the news of his absence for Week 1 is a blow, the fact that Likely was not placed on injured reserve to start the season offers a silver lining. This indicates that the team anticipates his return within the first four weeks, suggesting a quicker recovery than initially feared. Reports indicate his healing is progressing as expected, a positive sign for the Ravens’ long-term offensive plans.
A Stellar 2024 Season and Playoff Performance
Likely’s absence leaves a significant void for quarterback Lamar Jackson. The tight end enjoyed a career-best season in 2024, hauling in 42 passes for 477 yards and six touchdowns across 16 games. His impact was particularly felt in the postseason, where he recorded four catches for 73 yards and a touchdown in the Divisional Round loss to the very same Buffalo Bills, a game from which the Ravens are undoubtedly seeking redemption. Over his three NFL seasons, Likely has accumulated an impressive 108 receptions for 1,261 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Andrews Steps Up in Likely’s Absence
With Likely sidelined, fellow tight end Mark Andrews will be thrust into an even more prominent role. This presents a prime opportunity for Andrews to make a statement, especially after a memorable moment in the aforementioned playoff loss to the Bills, where he dropped a crucial would-be game-tying two-point conversion. All eyes will be on Andrews to shoulder the load and provide a reliable target for Jackson.
A Historic Week 1 Rematch
The Ravens-Bills clash isn’t just a regular season opener; it’s a Week 1 rematch of a 2024 playoff game, the only such matchup on the NFL schedule. Adding to the intrigue, this will be the first Week 1 game in NFL history to feature two quarterbacks who finished first and second in MVP voting the previous season. The battle between Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen was the closest MVP vote since Peyton Manning and Steve McNair were named co-MVPs in 2003, setting the stage for an electrifying start to the season despite Likely’s absence.
