Baltimore Ravens first-round pick Hayden Hurst is set to miss the start of the regular season due to a foot injury, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Hurst will undergo a procedure on Friday to insert a screw to repair a stress fracture in his foot, which is expected to keep him out for 3-4 weeks. The Ravens begin their season on Sept. 9 against the Buffalo Bills.

The Ravens took the 6-foot-5, 245-pound South Carolina product with the 25th overall pick in the draft, making him the first tight end off the board. The 25-year-old Hurst is a little old for a rookie as he spent two seasons playing minor league baseball.

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Hurst is expected to play a big part in the Ravens offense this season. He will likely take over from the departed Benjamin Watson as the team’s starting tight end.

In Hurst’s absence, Nick Boyle will likely have to step up and play a more prominent role. Boyle had 28 catches for 203 yards last season, which was second behind Watson among tight ends.

The Ravens also have former 2nd-round pick Maxx Williams and rookie third-rounder Mark Andrews in reserve at tight end while they wait for Hurst to make a full recovery.

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