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Is Isaiah Likely Playing Tonight?
Yes, Isaiah Likely is active and on the field for the Ravens' Week 16 matchup against the Patriots on Sunday Night Football, with no reported injury holding him back.
He's suited up and participating, even if his night hasn't exploded with targets yet. After two quarters, the tight end hasn't seen a single pass thrown his way, mirroring that quiet first half against the Bengals last week. It's frustrating for fantasy owners or Ravens fans banking on his upside, especially with Lamar Jackson sidelined by a back issue.
Backup Tyler Huntley steps in, and suddenly the offense leans heavy on the run game Derrick Henry might feast, but pass-catchers like Likely take a hit. No tweaks or trainer visits for him, though; he's just not featured in the game plan so far.Stephen PridGeon-Garner (@StephenPG3) on X notes Isaiah Likely's tough 2025 season hasn't dimmed his run blocking prowess.He's still getting defenders outta there, opening lanes just like fans expect from the Ravens TE.
That slow start echoes his season arc. Last year in 2024, Likely broke out with 42 catches on 58 targets, racking up 477 yards and six touchdowns while Mark Andrews nursed injuries and inconsistency. Fans started whispering he was the future at the position. This season? Things flipped. He's at 22 receptions for 248 yards and one score through most of the year, buried a bit behind a resurgent Andrews, who just inked a three-year, $39.2 million extension. Baltimore loves its vets, and Andrews is delivering now maybe too well.
Still, metrics paint an interesting picture. According to PFSN's TE Impact score, Likely edges out Andrews as the top Ravens tight end. He sits 39th league-wide at 73.6, while Andrews is 56th with 70.8. Raw numbers don't tell the whole story; those early missed games hurt his counting stats, but he's been steady since returning.
Tonight's blank first half? Part of a pattern on primetime stages, where defenses key on him extra hard. Remember that Bengals game zero targets again. It's like the football gods test his patience every Sunday night.
Lamar's back tweak throws everything into chaos. Ravens without their star QB? Not a revelation it's ground-and-pound time. Huntley isn't bad; he's miles ahead of some backups like Cooper Rush, who set a low bar elsewhere. But efficiency dips. Zay Flowers started hot, Henry could still grind out yards, yet the passing game stalls. If Jackson doesn't return post-halftime, expect short-yardage runs galore. Bad for Likely's box score, worse if this lingers into Week 17.
Speaking of stakes, this game's ripple effects loom large. Ravens clinch what they need with a win, but a loss? Jackson might sit if that back's nagging. No point risking the MVP in meaningless snaps. Playoff seeding tightens, and backups like Huntley get reps. For Likely, it means proving value without the franchise guy slinging it. He's not injured, but relevance hinges on touches and right now, they're scarce.
Dig a little deeper into his role. Early 2025 absences were nagging issues, nothing season-ending, and he's locked into the rotation. Coaches trust him for blocking, red-zone looks, even if Andrews hogs targets. That 2024 flash? Not gone, just dimmed by competition. Fantasy folks chased the hype post-breakout, only to get modest returns. Tonight feels like déjà vu zero first-half targets, offense shifting gears sans Jackson. Yet he's playing every snap eligible, no limp or hesitation spotted.
Comparisons help frame it. Andrews' extension screams stability; he's the chain-mover now. Likely? The spark plug waiting for ignition. PFSN ranks him higher because impact goes beyond yards after catch, contested grabs, maybe even those unheralded blocks opening lanes for Henry. League-wide, 39th isn't elite, but for a TE2 on a run-first team? Solid. Patriots defense, stout up front, probably daring the backups to pass anyway.
Humor in the irony: backup QBs and zero targets for premium skill guys. It's the NFL's cruel joke sometimes. Like that one game last year where Likely vanished in the stat sheet despite 60 snaps coaches later said scheme mismatch. Tonight could end that way too, or Huntley finds him late. Ravens faithful hope Jackson trots back out, unlocking the passing attack. Flowers cooking early shows potential, but without Lamar, it's a slog.
Broader Ravens picture? Offense hums with Jackson: explosive plays to Likely, Andrews, Flowers, Henry rumbling. No Jackson? Predictable plodding. Week 17 implications sharpen if they drop this. Jackson at less than 100%? Bench him, preserve for playoffs or rest entirely. Likely stays relevant regardless healthy, available, just hunting volume.
Wrapping the status: no injury concerns for Isaiah Likely tonight. He's playing, logging snaps, even if production lags. Slow starts on SNF aren't new; his talent persists. Watch second half maybe Huntley eyes the TE if trailing. Ravens grind on, Jackson's return the X-factor. For bettors, fantasy managers, or diehards tracking Baltimore's push, he's in the mix. Just not lighting scoreboards yet.
Disclaimer: This content is based on in-game observations, team updates, and publicly available information at the time of writing and may change as the game and official reports progress.
It is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical, professional, or fantasy/betting advice.
