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Ravens Watch: Isaiah Likely's Form Continues With First-Half TD vs. Jaguars

Originally posted on FanNation Raven Country
By Adam Schultz | Last updated 12/18/23

When Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews went down with an ankle injury that would rule him out for the rest of the regular season, attention turned to who could replace him - enter Isaiah Likely.

The second-year tight-end caught 36 passes for 373 yards last season and with Andrews out, it was Likely who needed to step up. And he has.

As the first half against the Jacksonville Jaguars was winding down, the Ravens were in the red zone and Lamar Jackson hit Likely for a 16-yard touchdown.

Since taking over for Andrews, Likely has been a good source of production for Todd Monken and the Baltimore offense.

In his three games as the starter, Likely has been in good form and now has back-to-back games with a touchdown grab. Likely has surpassed 40 receiving yards in each of the three games he has started.

TD Ravens? More than Likely.

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Likely's run-after-the-catch ability is what separates him from Andrews and again, it was on show against the Jaguars as he hauled in an 18-yard pass from Jackson to help keep the chains moving on the game's first drive.

With Andrews thought to potentially be back during the postseason, the thought of pairing him with Likely on Monken's offense has to be a tantalizing prospect.

Having the athletic and lively Likely paired with the physical Andrews, the Ravens, who already have a host of attacking weapons, might just boast a good one-two combination at tight end.

Andrews is still the dominant tight end for the Ravens but with each passing week, Likely is showing his talent and it's becoming apparent that he isn't just a short-term option while Andrews is injured - he's a bonafide weapon on offense.

This article first appeared on FanNation Raven Country and was syndicated with permission.

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