Patrick

Ricard

He did, however, return to practice this week, getting in two limited sessions after being sidelined for most of the last month-and-a-half. It seems likely that Ricard will be back for Baltimore in Week 8 after their bye, and perhaps that can help get their running game back on track.

Ricard has not practiced the entire season and continues to be held out of practice with a calf issue. The Ravens had not placed him on injured reserve, but the injury seems to be a lengthier issue than expected. Ricard is a key part of the Ravens’ blocking schemes, which have struggled at times without the 31-year-old. Also out was OT Ronnie Stanley (ankle). The Ravens are banged-up in the trenches heading into Week 4 against the Chiefs.

The Ravens haven’t officially released their first injury report of the week yet, but Likely was spotted working off to the side with trainers during the open portion of practice. That will go down as a DNP barring a surprise turn of events. Fullback Patrick Ricard was held out of practice entirely. Likely suffered a small fracture in his foot early in training camp and has been out ever since. The fact that Baltimore didn’t place him on injured reserve suggests it isn’t a long-term issue, but a DNP to open the week is a strong signal that Likely won’t suit up for Week 2. Mark Andrews managed a lone target in Week 1 versus the Bills. Even with Likely sidelined, Andrews appears to have little fantasy value left in the tank.

Likely appears to be highly unlikely to play in Week 1 against the Bills. He underwent surgery to correct a foot fracture on August 1st and has been sidelined ever since. Mark Andrews should command a healthy target share. Ravens FB Patrick Ricard (calf) has been sidelined since August 14th and likewise appears to be unlikely to play.

Per Dianna Russini, this is a fully guaranteed contract. We’d assume it’s not much actual money, but the guarantees are nice. Ricard remains primarily a run blocker for the Ravens and has just eight offensive touches over the past two seasons. He’s entering his age-31 season, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Ravens tried to develop someone at the end of the roster for this role soon.

Dobbins can be removed from the PUP list at any time. It’s not clear what Dobbins is dealing with, though it wouldn’t be a surprise for subsequent reports to say he is still working through the knee issues that have plagued him over the past two years. The Ravens also signed Melvin Gordon earlier today, so it’s clear they are prepared to be without Dobbins for at least the start of training camp. Baltimore also placed FB Patrick Ricard, WR Mike Thomas, CB Pepe Williams, and DT Rayshad Nichols on the PUP list. Linebacker Tyus Bowser was placed on the NFI list.

The full details of the contract are unknown, but Ricard is expected to be the second-highest-paid fullback in the league behind Kyle Juszczyk. Ricard was generating some buzz from other teams as a potential “hybrid tight end,” the belief being that he could operate as more of a pass-catcher than he has with the Ravens. Now back in Baltimore, however, he will resume his old school fullback duties, helping to facilitate the Ravens downhill rushing attack. With Ricard re-signed and J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards returning from injury, the Ravens rushing attack should get back in gear in 2022. That will likely mean fewer passing attempts, but it could lead to a more efficient season from Lamar Jackon, who will be plenty involved as a rusher himself.

Fowler suggested a new team could lure Ricard -- a free agent -- with a bigger pass-catching role than he had in Baltimore over the past five years. A stellar run blocker and a key to the Ravens’ dominant rushing attack in recent seasons, Ricard, 27, has just 25 receptions over the past three years. He could be worth monitoring for fantasy purposes if Ricard lands with a team willing to use him as a tight end in 2022.

Ricard missed Weeks 14-16 before returning for Week 17, where he evidently tweaked something. Although he has touched the ball only 10 times this season, he was named to his third straight Pro Bowl. Ricard was playing more snaps than ever before going down, clearing 500. Four months shy of his 28th birthday, Ricard will be a free agent in March. He will likely be more valuable to the Ravens than any other team.

Ricard is a significant loss for Baltimore’s rushing attack. The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec said the Ravens could resort to heavier offensive sets with Ricard out. TE Josh Oliver could see a bump in playing time. Meanwhile, Baltimore heads into Week 14 with a depleted secondary, making the Browns pass catchers slightly more palatable for desperate fantasy managers.