The Baltimore Ravens may have secured a hard-fought 30-23 win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday night, but the team suffered a significant blow with the loss of tight end Charlie Kolar. According to Tom Pelissero, Kolar broke his arm during the fourth quarter and is expected to miss at least four weeks.
Despite the injury, Kolar finished the game before getting X-rays.
The injury likely lands Kolar on injured reserve, dealing a hit to Baltimore’s depth at tight end. While the Ravens still have star Mark Andrews and rising talent Isaiah Likely, Kolar has been carving out a solid role as a reliable option.
#Ravens TE Charlie Kolar is expected to miss at least four weeks after breaking his arm in Monday night’s win over the #Chargers, per sources.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 27, 2024
Kolar suffered the injury early in the fourth quarter — and then finished the game before getting X-rays. One tough dude. pic.twitter.com/rTplxf0Uzr
The 2024 season has seen Kolar post nine catches on 11 targets for 131 yards and a touchdown across 12 games, including a standout performance against the Bengals earlier this year.
Charlie Kolar will miss the next four weeks... (at least)
Kolar, 25, joined the Ravens as a fourth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft after an impressive college career at Iowa State, earning multiple All-American and All-Big 12 honors. His professional trajectory has been slowed by injuries. He missed time as a rookie due to sports hernia surgery, but this year marked his most consistent contributions yet.
The timing of the injury is unfortunate for both Kolar and the Ravens, as the team is entering the final stretch of the regular season with an eye on securing playoff positioning. Kolar’s physicality and versatility as a blocker and pass-catcher had made him an ideal complement to Andrews and Likely in Baltimore’s tight-end-heavy offensive scheme.
Fortunately, the Ravens’ roster is built to withstand this kind of setback. Andrews remains one of the best tight ends in the league, and Likely has proven capable of stepping up in big moments. Additionally, offensive coordinator Todd Monken is willing to adapt the scheme, utilizing running backs Derrick Henry and Justice Hill to diversify the attack.
Still, Kolar’s absence will be felt, especially in red-zone packages and maintaining rotation depth. His ability to step into a larger role this season had made him a quiet but impactful part of Baltimore’s success. As he begins the road to recovery, the Ravens need to lean on their stars and next-man-up mentality to keep their momentum rolling.
For Kolar, the injury is another hurdle in a promising career. But if his grit on Monday night is any indication, he’ll bounce back stronger than ever.