Ravens TE Mark Andrews Says Teammates Have Been 'Extremely Supportive' In Rehab From Injury
One of the more surprising aspects of the Baltimore Ravens' success on offense has been their ability to do it without one of quarterback Lamar Jackson's favorite weapons.
Tight end Mark Andrews has been out since Nov. 16 with an ankle injury but is nearing his comeback and has been designated to return ahead of the Ravens' AFC Divisional Round matchup vs. the Houston Texans. While the process to reach this point in his rehab has been grueling, Andrews credited the support he has received from his teammates and the whole organization for bringing him to the brink of returning after seemingly having an outside shot to return when he first went down.
Mark Andrews makes the catch vs. the Chicago Bears.
Quinn Harris USA TODAY Sports
"It's been a test, that's for sure," Andrews said. "It's the first time I've ever been through anything like this. It's tough, but you get around this team, and you get around the guys. Everybody in this building has been extremely supportive. I can't tell you how much that means to me, how much it matters, and it makes me want to come here, work every day, come back to this team and help this team win a Super Bowl. That's what matters."
Andrews had 45 catches for 544 yards and six touchdowns in 10 games before getting injured on the opening drive of Baltimore's 34-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. The sixth-year tight end, who is a three-time Pro Bowler and an All-Pro in 2021, was the Ravens' leading receiver in yards and touchdowns that year and in 2022.
While Andrews has progressed throughout the week, going from being limited in practice on Tuesday to a full participant on Wednesday, his status vs. the Texans will come down to how he feels come Saturday. He also noted that because of the team's performance of the team without him, there won't be a rush to get him back on the field if he isn't ready.
The Ravens went 5-1 with him on the IR, and among the players who stepped up in Andrews' absence was tight end Isaiah Likely. Likely had 21 catches for 327 yards and five touchdowns in Baltimore's six games with Andrews out.
"It's how I feel at the end of the day," Andrews said. "Just 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'll] let these guys go and hopefully get [there] next weekend."
Baltimore hosts Houston on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET at M&T Bank Stadium.
