The Baltimore Ravens suffered a major setback in their offense as tight end Mark Andrews sustained a likely season-ending ankle injury in their 27-24 loss to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.
How did Andrews get injured?
Andrews was injured in the fourth quarter when he was tackled by Browns safety Ronnie Harrison after a 13-yard catch. He immediately grabbed his left ankle and was in obvious pain. He was carted off the field and did not return to the game.
Ravens coach John Harbaugh confirmed after the game that Andrews’ injury was serious and that he would probably miss the rest of the season.
“It’s a tough one. He’s one of our best players, one of our leaders,” Harbaugh said. “He’s a great guy, a great teammate. He’s had a tremendous year. It’s just unfortunate that it happened.”
Andrews’ impact on the Ravens
Andrews was having a career year for the Ravens, leading the team in receptions (68), receiving yards (867) and touchdowns (8). He was also a key blocker in the Ravens’ run-heavy offense, helping them rank first in the league in rushing yards per game (168.9).
Andrews was selected to his second Pro Bowl this season and was widely regarded as one of the best tight ends in the NFL. He had a strong chemistry with quarterback Lamar Jackson, who often looked for him in crucial situations.
“Losing Mark is huge. He’s a big part of our offense, a big part of our team,” Jackson said. “He makes plays all over the field. He’s a mismatch for a lot of defenders. He’s a leader in the locker room. We’re going to miss him a lot.”
Who will step up for the Ravens?
With Andrews out, the Ravens will have to rely on their other tight ends to fill the void. Rookie Isaiah Likely, who impressed in the preseason, will likely take over as the starter. He had six catches for 77 yards and a touchdown in Week 8 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when Andrews left the game with a shoulder injury.
Likely is a former basketball player who has good athleticism and size (6-foot-4, 245 pounds). He can stretch the field and create mismatches with his speed and leaping ability.
Nick Boyle, who is known for his blocking skills, will also see more snaps as the second tight end. Boyle has 15 catches for 136 yards and a touchdown this season. He can also contribute as a receiver, especially in the short and intermediate routes.
The Ravens may also look to add another tight end to their roster, either through free agency or trade. Some of the available options include Zach Ertz, Tyler Eifert, Jimmy Graham, and David Njoku.
Ravens’ playoff hopes in jeopardy
The loss of Andrews is a big blow to the Ravens’ playoff hopes, as they fell to 8-5 and lost their lead in the AFC North. They are now tied with the Cincinnati Bengals for the division title, but the Bengals hold the tiebreaker based on their head-to-head record.
The Ravens also have a tough remaining schedule, facing the Green Bay Packers, the Los Angeles Rams, and the Pittsburgh Steelers in their final three games. They will need to win at least two of those games to have a chance to make the postseason.
The Ravens will have to overcome the loss of Andrews and other key players who have been sidelined by injuries, such as cornerback Marlon Humphrey, left tackle Ronnie Stanley, running backs J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards, and wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
The Ravens have shown resilience and grit throughout the season, but losing Andrews may be too much to overcome.
