The Baltimore Ravens will get a boost in the passing game after activating tight end Mark Andrews for the AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The three-time Pro Bowler has been out of action since suffering a cracked fibula and an ankle ligament injury in their Week 11 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. He underwent surgery on November 25 and was placed on injured reserve four days later.
Ravens activate TE Mark Andrews from IR, will play in AFC Championship game. (via @rapsheet) pic.twitter.com/hF4Fe7EWPa
— NFL (@NFL) January 26, 2024
Before that injury, Andrews had 45 receptions for 544 yards and six touchdowns for the Ravens. He also sat out their season opener against the Houston Texans because of a quad injury.
At his best, Andrews is one of the most productive tight ends in the National Football League. He became a First Team All-Pro member in 2021 when he collected 107 receptions for 1,361 yards and nine touchdowns, the best among tight ends.
The Ravens drafted Mark Andrews in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He came out of Oklahoma as a Unanimous All-American, a First Team All-Big 12 member, and a John Mackey Award recipient. In his second season with the Ravens, he had a career-high ten touchdowns despite starting only four games.
With Andrews back in action, Todd Monken can add more wrinkles to his game plan against the Kansas City Chiefs defense. Andrews and Isaiah Likely can facilitate plays while lining up together. Their size and play-making ability should concern the defending Super Bowl champions.
The Ravens and the Chiefs will battle for a spot in Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday, January 28, at 3 p.m. Eastern Time. CBS will broadcast the game from M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland.
-Lance Fernandez