Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely will be sidelined for much of training camp after suffering an ankle injury in Tuesday's practice.
Likely rolled his ankle on the last rep of practice during one-on-one drills when he was running an out-breaking route and had some contact with the defender. He was carted off the field as the team huddled at the end of practice.
"We'll know more tomorrow. It's going to be a few weeks, though," Head Coach John Harbaugh said. "He rolled his ankle, foot area, so we'll get an MRI tomorrow and see exactly what needs to be done, but it'll be a few weeks. It's good that it's this early in camp."
Likely is one of Lamar Jackson's favorite targets and a key and versatile piece of the Ravens' offense. He set career highs last season with 42 receptions for 477 yards and six touchdowns.
As he enters a contract year, Likely will have to overcome missing most of training camp. The Ravens are well-stocked at tight end, however, with Mark Andrews, Charlie Kolar, fullback/tight end Patrick Ricard, and more.
Mike Green Relished Putting the Pads On
Practicing in pads for two consecutive days has given rookie Mike Green a chance to display his physicality, and Pass Rush Coach Chuck Smith has been impressed.
"Mike is earning his stripes," Smith said. "Mike's a rookie. He has to get in line like any other rookie, but Mike's going out there and competing at a high level.
"Mike is everything he's advertised to be. I think the fans will like what they see."
The second-round pick from Marshall led the FBS with 17 sacks last season and hopes to earn a consistent role in Baltimore's outside linebacker rotation. Pass rushing is his bread and butter, but he also wants to prove he can be an effective run defender during training camp and the preseason.
"I would say throughout the whole pre-draft process, I was trying to prove that I can do power rushes, and I'm more of a power guy as well, on top of my speed game," Green said. "So, I think finally coming out here, being able to put on the pads, I've been able to at least show what I'm capable of doing when it comes down to power rushing, setting the edge and things like that. Like I said, it has been good. [There] is always going to be room for improvement, but yes, it's been good so far."
Since rookie camp, Smith has impressed teammates and coaches with his daily effort, a trait that will help accelerate his learning curve.
"He's a dog," Odafe Oweh said. "He gets after it. He turns it on even more when he has the pads on."
Bulking up During Offseason Hasn't Slowed Down Oweh
A bulked up Oweh is going through his first training camp after adding 20 pounds of muscle this offseason. The afternoon temperature reached 100 degrees during Monday and Tuesday's practice, but Oweh was pleased with both his quickness and stamina.
"The sun's out here, pads and everything, but I like how I'm feeling," Oweh said. "I can use my power rush moves, and [defending] the run as well."
Oweh is coming off a career-high 10 sacks in 2024, but the 26-year-old didn't play organized football until high school. Smith doesn't believe that Oweh has reached his ceiling.
"[Oweh] can play any position across the board when [it] comes to pass rushing," Smith said. "He was humble, he wanted to learn, and he just developed moves. A lot of people didn't think he would ever get to this point. It takes different guys different time to develop. Credit to him and the organization to be behind him. I have high expectations for Odafe."
Rookie Aeneas Peebles Is Bringing Inside Pressure
Sixth-round defensive tackle Aeneas Pebbles had 8.0 sacks over his last two college seasons, showing his potential as an inside pass rusher. He's another player who has taken well to padded practices this week.
"I love 'Fub' [Peebles]," Smith said. " He's got incredible upside. He is lightning quick. They say he's small because he's short (six feet), but he's 293 (pounds). He's got a high skill level, he's quick, he great pass rush moves, he loves to pass rush, he's got a progressive mindset. I love Aeneas. As he continues to learn going against big guys, going against protections, he'll get better."
John Harbaugh Comments on Tragic Shooting in Manhattan
A gunman who killed four people at a Manhattan office building on Monday was trying to target the headquarters of the NFL, according to investigators.
One of the victims was New York City Police Officer Didarul Islam. Head Coach John Harbaugh commented on the tragedy after being asked about it following Tuesday's practice.
