Last week, Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely didn’t make much of an impact against Denver, with just one target and no catches.
The Ravens offense didn’t need him to contribute, as they cruised to a 41-10 win. Still, Likely has shown he’s a key piece in Baltimore’s offense, especially in big moments. Just look back at his two-touchdown performance against Cincinnati in Week 5.
But with a hamstring injury keeping him out of practice this week, the Ravens will have to look to other playmakers tonight. So, is Isaiah Likely playing against the Bengals or not?
Isaiah Likely's injury status for TNF matchup vs Bengals
Bad news for Ravens fans: Isaiah Likely has been ruled out for Thursday Night Football.
Ravens ruled out TE Isaiah Likely for Thursday night’s game vs. the Bengals and list RB Keaton Mitchell as questionable.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 6, 2024
Lamar Jackson is off the injury report and expected to start. pic.twitter.com/1wU2zkxLkK
After sitting out all practices this week, Likely will miss his first game of the season due to that lingering hamstring issue. His absence means Mark Andrews will see an even larger workload at tight end, with Charlie Kolar stepping up as the next man in line.
Likely’s impact in the passing game has been solid, with 24 catches for 271 yards and three touchdowns this season. Losing him against a division rival like Cincinnati, especially given his breakout moments against them earlier this season, is a tough blow.
Back in Week 5, Likely came through with two crucial touchdowns, including a highlight reel-worthy grab that helped the Ravens edge out a 41-38 overtime win. On that play, he hauled in a perfect throw from Lamar Jackson despite being surrounded by defenders. Without Likely, the Ravens will lean heavily on Andrews, who can stretch the field and bring that physicality in the middle of the field that makes Baltimore’s offense so dangerous.
Look for Charlie Kolar to play a more prominent role as well. While Kolar hasn’t seen as much action, he has the skills to be an effective short-to-intermediate target, keeping the Bengals' defense honest and creating mismatches. Meanwhile, with Likely’s blocking also out of the lineup, Baltimore’s rushing attack could see some adjustments, with added reliance on Charlie Kolar to cover those duties in the tight end group.
Bottom line: Likely’s absence is far from ideal, but the Ravens have the depth to keep their offense humming. Expect a heavier dose of Mark Andrews, with Lamar Jackson looking to his other weapons to fill the void.
If Baltimore can find ways to spread the field, they’re more than capable of keeping Cincinnati’s defense on its heels tonight.
We'll update Jackson's status if anything changes.