received some positive news from Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh on Wednesday, December 27, about All-Pro tight end Mark Andrews.Harbaugh, speaking to the media, said, “I’ve heard of no setbacks, I think he’s on schedule as far as I have heard. Maybe a little ahead of schedule.” Andrews went down with a severe ankle and leg injury after a hip-drop tackle by Cincinnati Bengals LB Logan Wilson in Week 11. The Ravens placed the tight end on injured reserve November 25, but left the door open for a return during the playoffs.
Harbaugh went on to say, “I’ve seen him in there working and he’s in great spirts. You know we are hopeful.” The Ravens would love to add him back to the starting lineup, but they need to make it far enough for that to happen. “Our job is to get to that point. That’s our job, to get to the point where we are still playing when he comes back,” Harbaugh said.
Andrews’ ability on the field is only part of value his return would bring. The leadership to his team and respect of his teammates is incalculable for a run at a Super Bowl. When Andrews went down after the victory over the Bengals the concern was how Baltimore would fill his shoes at the position. Rumors like adding veteran Zach Ertz were floated around, but the Ravens decided to stand pat with their options in-house. Isaiah Likely has exceled with the opportunity to take over the starting job and Charlie Kolar has provided some key catchups as the backup.
In the four games since Andrews’ injury, Likely has 17 catches, 249 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns. The second-year player is only 35 yards away from what he produced his rookie year.
