Ravens Insider: Ravens TE Isaiah Likely on his status: ‘Me limited isn’t helping anybody’

[ExtremeRavens]

Isaiah Likely says that he feels “refreshed.” Whether the Ravens tight end is on the field for Monday night’s showdown with the Detroit Lions at M&T Bank Stadium remains to be seen, though.

Likely, who underwent surgery Aug. 1 to repair a broken bone in his right foot and has been limited in practice since returning to the field last Friday, said that it’s important to keep the big picture in mind.

“Me limited isn’t helping anybody,” he said Friday afternoon in Owings Mills. “You guys wanna see me be me.”

Baltimore’s offense has been explosive even in his absence.

In Week 1, the Ravens scored 40 points on the road against the Bills before a fourth-quarter meltdown by the defense allowed Buffalo to rally from a 15-point deficit in the 41-40 defeat. Last week against the Browns, Baltimore rolled to a 41-17 victory in its home opener, spurred on by 31 second-half points.

Tight ends have also not figured prominently in the offense thus far.

Just under 10% of quarterback Lamar Jackson’s 48 pass attempts have been intended for tight ends. Mark Andrews leads the group with two catches on four targets for 7 yards, while Zaire Mitchell-Paden has zero catches on one target and Charlie Kolar has surprisingly yet to be targeted.

Adding Likely to the fold should increase those numbers.

Last season, Likely had career highs in catches (42), yards (477) and touchdowns (six). He appeared in 17 games for Baltimore, starting 13, and averaged 11.4 yards per catch as he has quickly become one of Jackson’s favorite targets.

The 25-year-old in the final year of his rookie contract also adds another dynamic element to an offense that leads in the NFL in points per game (40.5) and is 11th in yards per game (337).

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“He’s just such a versatile player that there’s a number of things you can do with him, in-line and flexed out,” offensive coordinator Todd Monken said Friday. “So those are the things when you have versatile players that allow you to do a lot of things, play in a lot of modes with them. It’s certainly an advantage for us.”

If Likely doesn’t play Monday night against Detroit, it would put him in line to return in Week 4 against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.

“Taking it day by day right now,” he said. “Finally getting my feet back under me, so really just being out there I feel like me being just a presence out there is good for me right now.

“You always look at the long game. In this league, it’s a turtle’s race.”

Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1.

Ravens tight end Isiah Likely, right, takes a break during practice at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/staff)

Ravens tight end Isiah Likely practices at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/staff)

Ravens tight end Isiah Likely practices at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/staff)

Ravens tight end coach George Godsey, left, watches Isiah Likely practice on Friday in Owings Mills. (Kenneth K. Lam/staff)

Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr speaks with media after practice at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/staff)

Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken speaks with media after practice at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/staff)

Ravens special teams coordinator Chris Horton speaks with media after practice at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/staff)

Ravens Special Teams Coordinator Chris Horton conducts practice at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/staff)

Ravens outside linebacker Tavius Robinson works out during practice at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/staff)

Ravens running back Derrick Henry takes a break during practice at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/staff)

Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins works out during practice at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/staff)

Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins, left, works out during practice at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/staff)

Ravens cornerbacks Nate Wiggins, right, and Chidobe Awuzie, left, during practice at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/staff)

Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins practices at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/staff)

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Ravens tight end Isiah Likely, right, takes a break during practice at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/staff)

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