The Baltimore Ravens don’t quite have all hands on deck for a marquee season opener between Super Bowl contenders, but they came pretty darn close.
The inactives report for the Ravens ahead of their regular season opener against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, September 7, included tight end Isaiah Likely, fullback Patrick Ricard, free safety Reuben Lowery III, running back Keaton Mitchell, offensive tackle Carson Vinson and edge rusher David Ojabo.
The biggest missing piece for the Ravens — and one they knew wouldn’t be there for some time now — is Likely, who is one of the NFL’s top young tight ends.
ESPN’s Jamison Hensley and Jeremy Fowler reported on July 30 that an injury suffered by Likely the previous day was much worse than previously speculated and that Likely had fractured his foot and would be out for several months.
From ESPN: “Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely suffered a small fracture in his foot at the end of Tuesday’s practice, sources told ESPN. According to sources, if all goes well in Likely’s recovery, he is expected to return early in the season. It’s possible Likely could be back for the Ravens’ Sept. 7 opener at the Buffalo Bills. Likely suffered the non-contact injury on the final play of Tuesday’s practice in a one-on-one drill against safety Sanoussi Kane. He was carted off the field and then limped into the locker room.”
The Ravens are starting the 2025 season where their 2024 season ended with a 27-25 loss to the Bills in the AFC Divisional Round.
How To Watch Ravens vs. Bills In Week 1
Here’s everything you need to know to watch the Ravens play the Bills in Week 1 of the 2025 regular season:
- When: 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC/Peacock)
- Where: Highmark Stadium (Orchard Park, New York
- Line: BAL -1.5
- O/U: 50.5
- 2024 records: Ravens 12-5 (lost AFC Divisional Round), Bills 13-4 (lost AFC Championship Game)
Historic Final Season Opener in Buffalo
For the Bills, it will be a historic season opener in 2025 because it’s the final season opener at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York — their home since 1973.
Buffalo is moving to a new stadium in 2026, albeit one with the same name.
Referred to as “New Highmark Stadium” colloquially, the Bills will move into a 62,000-seat stadium next season that’s being built right across the street from their current stadium.
New Highmark is being built at an estimated cost of $2.2 billion and construction began in June 2023. While the new stadium won’t have a completely covered roof, it will include coverage of an estimated 65 percent of fan seating with a “365 degree dome” concept.
Game Features Last 2 NFL MVP Winners
It’s kind of a no brainer that the Bills-Ravens tilt is the marquee matchup of the NFL’s first week of the regular season because it features the last 2 NFL Most Valuable Player winners at quarterback.
For the Bills, that’s 2024 NFL MVP Josh Allen, who won the honor for the first time after leading the Bills to a 13-4 regular season record.
For the Ravens, that’s 2-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson, who actually finished as runner-up for NFL MVP in 2024 behind Allen.
Ravens Get Mostly Positive Injury News For Week 1 vs. Bills