The Baltimore Ravens sustained a massive blow on their offense with Pro Bowl tight end Mark Andrews being ruled out with an ankle ailment that will require surgery.
But is that ailment ruling out Andrews from returning?
How Long Is Mark Andrews Out?
Andrews is anticipated to miss the duration of the 2023 season.
However, head coach John Harbaugh isn’t ruling out Andrews returning.
“It wasn’t as bad as initially feared after the game,” Harbaugh said to the Baltimore media on Monday. “We’ll know more; we’ll have to see how that goes. There is some optimism.”
That’s great news for a team that’s pursuing the top seed in the AFC. Before the injury, Baltimore held the conference’s best record at 8-3.
MORE: Baltimore Ravens Depth Chart
However, the Miami Dolphins have since caught up to the Ravens after delivering their Black Friday trouncing of the New York Jets.
But pivoting back to Andrews’ health, Harbaugh sounds like he’s not ruling out Andrews returning. That either means Andrews will be back by season’s end in January or for the postseason, should the Ravens stretch their season that far.
Who Takes Over for Andrews in Ravens’ Offense
It’s likely the Ravens turn to Isaiah Likely at tight end moving forward.
Likely, 23, is in his second season out of Coastal Carolina. He’s no stranger to starting for the Ravens with seven career starts already. He also caught 36 passes for 373 yards and scored three touchdowns last season in his league debut.
But this time it’s a different scenario for Likely. He’s having to step in for Andrews during a playoff push in Charm City. And already, the reserve tight end says Andrews is sending encouragement his way.
“He hit me up yesterday, we talked for a little bit,” Likely said Monday. “I’m not going to say what we talked about, but he’s definitely in good spirits. I love Mark; it hurt me when he went down. Mark told me, ‘Just stay the course, stay ready.'”
Likely knows that the chemistry between Andrews and quarterback Lamar Jackson is a cohesive one — like a peanut butter and jelly connection, as Likely described it. Likely also knows that the Ravens still have other options to turn to in Odell Beckham Jr. and rookie Zay Flowers
Having those remaining weapons around Jackson points to Likely not seeing as many touches. But he’s comfortable with that.
“I feel like it’s a blessing we have so many weapons on offense. That makes my job easier,” Likely said. “Just stay the course, wait for the ball to come my way, and make the most of the opportunity.”
An Andrews-less Ravens offense will soon take on a struggling Los Angeles Chargers team on Sunday night. The Chargers currently rank 31st overall in yards allowed and enter SoFi Stadium at 4-6.
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