Ravens tight end Mark Andrews‘ season likely ended on Thursday, Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh told reporters after his team’s 34-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Harbaugh characterized his three-time Pro Bowl tight end’s ankle injury as “serious,” suggesting that it appeared to be a “season-ending injury.”
Indeed, an MRI on Friday confirmed a serious injury. Andrews has a fractured fibula and a damaged ankle ligament, according to a source reported by NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport. Rapoport further mentioned that the injury is suspected to be long-term. To gain more information, Baltimore will be seeking advice from Dr. Robert Anderson in Charlotte next week.
“We’ve been bread and butter. Peanut butter and jelly. Whatever you want to call it,” quarterback Lamar Jackson said when reacting to the news on Thursday night. “But that’s very tough because that’s my boy. That’s like receiver one sometimes. And for him to go out first quarter and he’d been having a remarkable year. One touchdown away from a record, I think. That’s tough, man. But we got to somehow do it without him. We got (Isaiah) Likely. We got Charlie (Kolar). We got guys who are going to step up, but it’s tough.”
The tight end injured his left ankle in the first quarter on a hip-drop tackle by Logan Wilson following a 9-yard reception in which he was brought down on the Cincinnati 4-yard line.
Andrews managed to leave the field under his own power, proceeding to the medical tent and subsequently the locker room. Just prior to the team’s official announcement that he wouldn’t return, he visited the X-ray room.
He had a pair of catches for 23 yards on the opening drive. Two plays after Andrews’ second catch and subsequent injury, Baltimore running back Gus Edwards scored to give the Ravens an early lead.
In 2023, Andrews has become a favored target for Jackson, amassing 45 catches for 544 yards and six touchdowns. His probable absence is a tough blow for the Ravens, who are leading the AFC North with an 8-3 record as they approach the season’s final stretch.
