The Expected Return Of Baltimore Ravens Tight End Mark Andrews This Weekend Is Bad News For The Rest Of The NFL

Getty Image / Cooper Neill

The Baltimore Ravens were the best team in the NFL this season, going 13-3 before resting their studs in week 18 and losing to finish 13-4. And, they’re about to get one of their best players back for the playoffs as they look to win their first Super Bowl since beating the 49ers in February 2013.

All-Pro tight end Mark Andrews is set to make his return to the lineup, as he was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice ahead of their Saturday showdown against the Houston Texans in the AFC Divisional Round.

Andrews was injured in week 11 against the Lions, fracturing a fibula and suffering ankle ligament damage, as well. At the time, many expected him to miss the rest of the season, but it appears that was not the case.

“It’s how I feel at the end of the day. Knowing how good this team is, how good our players are, how good our tight ends are, if I feel like I’m going to be helpful to the team, I’m going to go. If I feel like I’m close but not there, I’m going to let these guys go and hopefully get there next weekend.” Andrews said when asked about his chances of playing this weekend. I’d say that sounds pretty encouraging.

This is a huge boost for the Baltimore Ravens, as Andrews is one of the best pass-catching tight ends in the NFL. He was first-team All-Pro in 2021, and has been presumptive NFL MVP Lamar Jackson’s favorite target in his time in Baltimore.

In ten games this year, Mark Andrews tallied 45 catches for 544 yards and six touchdowns as an integral part of the best group of pass-catching weapons that Lamar Jackson has had in his time in Baltimore.

Rookie first-rounder Zay Flowers has stepped a big role and made it look easy, catching 77 passes for 858 yards. Odell Beckham Jr has looked explosive at times, and guys like Rashod Bateman and Nelson Agholor have made plays.

Even in Andrews’ absence, they’ve received production from the tight end position. Isaiah Likely has 40 catches for 411 yards and five touchdowns this year.

Those stats may not jump off the page at you, but no team ran the ball more than the Baltimore Ravens did this year, and their efficiency when throwing is near the top of the league.

Now, they will add back in Mark Andrews to that stacked core as they look to get back to the Super Bowl. It will be interesting to see if they use more 12 personnel, which means one running back and two tight ends, to get Likely and Andrews on the field together even more. They already did this more than any other team at 40%, but I could see them going even higher.