IsaiahLikely

News: 6 days agoLikely (foot/ankle) will undergo surgery this week to address a broken bone in his foot sustained during Tuesday's practice, and he is expected to face a six-week recovery timetable, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Spin: Likely has avoided a long-term injury, but his expected recovery timetable will brush up closely against Week 1, with the Ravens set to open the regular season on the road against Buffalo on Sept. 7. In the meantime, Mark Andrews will continue to operate as the Ravens' top tight end, with the potential to handle a higher allotment of snaps early in the season. As he enters Year 4, Likely boasts enough familiarity with Baltimore's offensive scheme to downplay the severity of having to miss the majority of training camp, but it's possible he could have to be ramped up early in 2025 even if he's cleared to suit up Week 1.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Likely is back for his fourth NFL season after quite the head-scratcher of a season in 2024. He came out with a bang with 12 targets and a TE-high 26.1 fantasy points in Week 1, but failed to come close to either number the rest of the season. He did find the end zone six times in 16 games, but a lack of volume allowed him only 6.5 fantasy PPG after the season opener. Playing behind (or alongside) Mark Andrews the past three years, Likely has yet to finish a season among the top 20 tight ends in snaps, routes, targets, catches or yardage. His 20th-place finish in fantasy PPG last season was a career best. Perhaps Likely's best days are ahead of him, but consistent fantasy value is a long shot as long as Andrews is on the roster. The 25-year-old does not need to be drafted.