Isaiah Likely's setback just raised the stakes for Mark Andrews redemption tour

We are only two weeks into training camp for the Baltimore Ravens, and already, they are going through some adversity on offense. On Tuesday, Baltimore fourth-year tight end Isaiah Likely, who is entering a big contract season, suffered a foot injury during practice.

On Wednesday, sources confirmed that Likely suffered a small foot fracture. He will have surgery this week to fix the broken bone in his foot, and he will be out for six weeks. The hope is that he will return in time for Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills, but his absence for nearly the entire training camp and preseason, especially in a contract year, is a significant setback. For the Ravens, however, the injury proves that keeping one of their tight ends was wise.

Isaiah Likely's Injury Makes Keeping Mark Andrews Decision Bigger

The other tight end, of course, is Mark Andrews. Andrews was the subject of trade conversations all offseason as he also enters a contract year, just like Likely. Many felt the Ravens would trade Andrews due to his cap number, age, and his performance during the AFC Divisional Playoffs in Buffalo last year. Then there is Likely, who is younger and someone Baltimore is very high on. Baltimore couldn't find a trade partner for Andrews, and he now will enter his eighth season as the Ravens' starting tight end.

With the injury to Likely, keeping Andrews on the roster now looks to be a much better decision by Baltimore and general manager Eric DeCosta. If Baltimore did trade Andrews, Charlie Kolar would be the starting tight end during camp, preseason, and Week 1 if Likely isn't ready. Still having Andrews, a first-team All-Pro, three-time Pro Bowler, and quarterback Lamar Jackson's favorite playmaker, is proving big right now.

Coming off the tough finish to his 2024 campaign, Andrews is having a good training camp as he aims to have a strong 2025 season. There is a lot to prove for Andrews this year, and a lot of eyes are already going to be on him. Likely's injury will shift even more eyes to Andrews now. The good thing is that Andrews is still one of the best tight ends in the NFL and is the Ravens' all-time leader in touchdowns. He's as good as it gets when Baltimore gets into scoring territory. Baltimore should be just fine at tight end as they wait for Likely to get back and healthy, because Andrews is still on the roster.

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