Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews was one of the most productive performers in fantasy among tight ends last season, but a serious ankle injury caused him to play in only 10 regular season games.
Now, following a car accident a couple of weeks ago, Andrews’ status for Week 1 is in question. What is the latest on his injury situation?
Mark Andrews Injury Update
Although whatever injury Andrews may (or may not) have suffered in his car accident on Aug. 14 was never really revealed, it was enough to have his injury status as questionable for the Ravens’ Thursday night NFL season opener at the Kansas City Chiefs.
The good news for the Ravens and fantasy managers is that Andrews returned to practice on Friday, which was his first participation in practice since that accident.
His return is obviously a welcomed sight for the Ravens and quarterback Lamar Jackson, in particular. Although his numbers last season didn’t approach his magical 2021 season when he was a first-team All-Pro selection, Andrews was still productive in fantasy last year.
Although he missed the final six games of the 2023 regular season because of an ankle injury (he missed seven games overall), Andrews still finished fifth among tight ends in fantasy points per game (13.5).
Even though his receptions per game (4.5) was his lowest mark since 2020, Andrews’ catch percentage (73.8%) was a career-high.
Additionally, for the fifth straight season, Andrews finished with at least five touchdown receptions, catching six touchdown passes in 2023.
Andrews’ Fantasy Outlook for Week 1
Again, Andrews’ return to practice on Friday should give fantasy managers optimism that he will be ready to go for the season opener against the defending Super Bowl champions.
According to the Pro Football Network’s stat/sit projection tool, Andrews is projected to finish with four receptions, 49 receiving yards, and 11.2 fantasy points.
Those numbers would follow the pattern of last season, when Andrews caught at least four passes in eight of his 10 games. Andrews also finished with 45 or more receiving yards in five of his 10 games, three of which came on the road.
The Ravens, as a whole, were big beneficiaries of Andrews’ production, going 6-0 last season when the veteran tight end had 45 or more receiving yards.
The bottom line on Andrews is that if he is healthy enough, he should be in the lineup for fantasy managers.
No, Andrews did not have much of an impact against the Chiefs in last season’s Divisional Round playoff matchup — two receptions for 15 yards and no touchdowns — but that was the first game Andrews had played in about 10 weeks, so that shouldn’t factor in anyone’s thinking when it comes to starting Andrews in Week 1.