-
Jamison Hensley, ESPN workers author
OWINGS MILLS, Md. -Baltimore Ravens tight finish Mark Andrews is probably not finished for the season in spite of everything.
Ravens coach John Harbaugh supplied a shocking replace on Andrews on Monday, saying there may be “an outdoor likelihood” the three-time Professional Bowl tight finish might return sooner or later this season. This glimmer of hope comes 4 days after Ravens officers believed Andrews suffered a season-ending left ankle damage throughout Thursday’s 34-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
“I perceive from speaking to our coach and the medical doctors that it wasn’t as dangerous as initially feared proper after the sport,” Harbaugh mentioned. “It is just a little cleaner than they thought based mostly on the MRI.”
Harbaugh mentioned Andrews is at present seeing Dr. Robert Anderson is in Charlotte, North Carolina, and that the group will know extra when he returns later within the week.
“There could be an outdoor likelihood that he might come again sooner or later,” Harbaugh mentioned. “So we’ll simply must see how that goes. And I do not wish to say that is definitively definitive, however there may be some optimism.”
When requested if the Ravens suppose Andrews might return for the playoffs, Harbaugh mentioned, “I do not even wish to say that proper now. As soon as he comes again, perhaps later this week, that is one thing we might point out and focus on, as a result of that is what we might do.” I simply know extra. And I ought to most likely lean into Mark on that too. What are his ideas on that? So I do not wish to communicate for Mark both, however I will inform you this: There is no larger competitor. No person desires to be on the market greater than Mark Andrews.”
Andrews, 28, is Lamar Jackson’s favourite goal and some of the productive tight ends within the NFL. Since 2019, Andrews trails solely Travis Kelce in receptions (347), receiving yards (4,305) and landing catches (37) by a decent finish. Andrews is one shy of tying Todd Heap for many landing catches in franchise historical past (41).
It was an enormous blow when Andrews injured his ankle throughout Baltimore’s opening drive on Thursday. He was pinned to the bottom by a controversial “hip drop” deal with from Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson.
Harbaugh mentioned the choice on whether or not to take motion on these kinds of tackles is “within the good palms” of the competitors committee.
With Andrews sidelined, Baltimore is anticipated to rely extra on backup tight ends Isaiah Doubtless and Charlie Kolar. Harbaugh additionally indicated that the Ravens might use large receiver packages in Andrews’ absence.
“Every thing is unquestionably on the desk,” Harbaugh mentioned. “Mark is a famous person participant. It is not possible to exchange him on his personal. We have now to exchange him collectively as a bunch and I actually imagine we will try this. And when he comes again, we are going to simply be a lot stronger.” at any time when that’s.”
