SEPTEMBER 28: The Ravens are banged up at other positions (most notably the defensive line), but they will be at full strength with respect to the tight end spot. Baltimore’s list of inactives for today’s game (h/t Zrebiec) confirms Likely will indeed play.
SEPTEMBER 26: After two weeks of limited practice participation, Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely had his first full practice of the regular season today. Head coach John Harbaugh was judicious with his comments, relaying that Likely “looks good,” but the team will “have to see if it’s the best thing for (them) on Sunday” for Likely to play, per ESPN’s Jamison Hensley. 
Though, at the moment, they remain undecided, Harbaugh expressed hope that Likely would be able to play on Sunday, per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken echoed those sentiments, per Hensley, emphasizing how Likely adds another tool to a potent Ravens offense.
Likely technically runs as TE2 behind veteran Mark Andrews, but each year, he’s shown an ability that could make him a top weapon on many other teams. His presence has been missed, too. Though the Ravens put up 81 points in their first two games, tight ends only accounted for two catches on five targets for seven yards. Andrews and Charlie Kolar got a boost in Week 3, but Likely will add another dynamic to the position group upon his eventual return.
The news is less positive for defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike. After missing last week’s game, Madubuike did not participate in any practices this week as he deals with a neck injury. Harbaugh confirmed that the two-time Pro Bowler would not be available this weekend, per Hensley, and when pushed on his long-term availability, Harbaugh admitted some concern but declined to give any more information until the doctors are able to provide it to him.
Madubuike is a key piece of the Ravens pass rush with 19.5 sacks over the last two seasons. He was certainly missed on Monday as the Ravens failed to amass a single sack for the first time in 57 contests. Another reason for the defense’s struggles getting to the quarterback this past week was the absence of another key pass rusher, Kyle Van Noy.
According to Zrebiec, Van Noy returned to practice on Friday after also missing last week’s game. Van Noy’s career resurgence has seen him collect 21.5 sacks since arriving in Baltimore two years ago. After Madubuike (13.5) led the team in sacks in 2023, Van Noy (12.5) led the Ravens last year. With their two most-recent sack leaders out last week, it’s no wonder they were unable to get to Jared Goff.
Harbaugh said “it would mean a lot” to have Van Noy back on the field this weekend, per Hensley, but like with Likely, they’ll have to wait and see how Van Noy is doing come Sunday. With a matchup that usually sees offensive fireworks and heroics from Patrick Mahomes, the potential additions of Likely and Van Noy could be huge boosts for Baltimore. In the meantime, they’ll continue to gather information on Madubuike’s situation.
BALT may have scored a lot of points, but the D let BUF come back and let DET run the ball all over the field. Also let CLE outgain them, out first down, and out TOP them too. Let’s see how they do in KC.
I don’t think the Chiefs run game will worry Baltimore that much…both teams have issues that they need to sort out.
The Ravens have more than most. Even when fully healthy, this team always finds a way to underachieve.
Madubuike may be done for his career from what it is sounding like. Washington is out for at least 3 more weeks, possibly more depending on what his ankle injury is, and even when healthy, he’s not a world beater. Now Jones is hurt as well, so they got Jenkins and 3 literal street free agents now in the starting rotation.
Roquan Smith is down now, and he was the best MLB they had. Behind him are a run stopper only, a special teams ace, and two rookies.
Wiggins went down and so did Marlon Humphrey in a secondary with shaky depth at best with Alexander not playing and Abuzie being #4 in that rotation.
Ronnie Stanley went down, and he was hurt all last week, so it doesn’t shock me to see him go down. The question with him is, is this the same ankle/leg that was the major injury before, and if so, he might be done.
And then poor little Lamar threw a hissy fit and walked off the field. Now, he didn’t get up slow, he didn’t grab is leg, he didn’t walk funny, and he didn’t have the look of pain on his face at all. No, he threw a temper tantrum (as usual when things don’t go his way) and he didn’t want to keep being embarrassed like he was being done by KC, so they wrapped his leg. He’ll be fine and playing next week. That’s your leader Baltimore. Every time the going gets tough, Lamar leaves the building.
John Harbaugh needs to go. Didn’t they have two delay of game penalties? This team needs to be blown up. Too many stars, not enough of a team. This team has way too much talent to keep blowing games as embarrassingly as they have done for Lamar’s tenure.
Lamar punking out late in the 3rd because he got upset. He didn’t get hurt, only his ego. The guy is a good time player only. As soon as things get difficult, he crumbles and pouts.
Another slow start to a season. They will still win the division until Pitts proves they can take it but the players have to step up on defense. Just not enough pass rush.