Ravens Lamar Jackson on Mark Andrews Return: 'I Got Another Security Blanket!'
The Baltimore Ravens have officially moved All-Pro tight end Mark Andrews to the 53-man roster. After weeks of speculation, the move was finally made, signaling his impending return to the team after a long layoff with an ankle injury.
The Ravens host Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship game, and having Andrews return, will no doubt be a big boost to Todd Monken's offense.
But what does Lamar Jackson think of having his No. 1 tight end back?
“It means a lot to all of us,” Jackson said. “What it means to me is I got another security blanket. You know I'm on the field, him, [Isaiah] Likely and the rest of the guys, just ready to get after it right now.”
With Andrews' return, the Baltimore offense gets another weapon that can cause the Chiefs defense trouble.
Having fared well without him as Isaiah Likely and Co. have stepped up, now with the All-Pro back in the lineup, the already potent Ravens offense gets even more so.
But if you thought that Jackson would force-feed the ball to his "security blanket" on Sunday, think again.
“I believe we just going to keep doing what we've been doing,” Jackson said. “Just dish the ball to all our guys, not just one person. Mark is definitely going to help us through this process, he's one of the ones but we going to keep dishing the ball out like we've been doing.”
It is unknown if the Ravens will have a snap count on Andrews for Sunday, but given the magnitude of the game, it seems unlikely.
Baltimore, after such a dominating regular season, is just one win away from its first Super Bowl appearance since 2012. Having Andrews back will no doubt help, but he can't be relied upon to get the team over the line.
The Ravens have a host of weapons for Jackson to utilize, and he will need them all firing, not just Andrews if they are to get past Mahomes and the Chiefs.