Ravens' Mark Andrews Could Return from Ankle Injury for NFL Playoff Game vs. Texans

The best team in football during the regular season could be getting back its best weapon in the passing game in time for the Divisional Round.

According to The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec, Baltimore Ravens' tight end Mark Andrews was a full participant in Wednesday's practice after fracturing his left fibula and suffering ligament damage in that ankle back in mid-November.

"I think it's how I feel at the end of the day," Andrews told reporters. "Just knowing how good this team is, how good our players are, how good our tight ends are, if I feel like I'm going to be helpful to the team, I'll go. If I feel like I'm close but not there, I'll let these guys go and hopefully get that next weekend."

Andrews had been a limited participant at the team's practices both last Friday and this Tuesday before being a full participant on Wednesday.

The three-time Pro Bowler and 2021 first-team All-Pro selection was on his way to another big season in 2023, catching 45 passes for 544 yards and six touchdowns through 10 games. He's been Lamar Jackson's preferred target during their time together in Baltimore, and getting him back for a matchup with the Houston Texans would be huge as the top-seeded Ravens seek a third title since 2000.

If Andrews is unable to go or is utilized more as a decoy upon his return, however, the Ravens are covered at the position. Second-year tight end Isaiah Likely has been a revelation in Andrews' stead, pulling in 21 receptions for 322 yards and five scores in the final six games of the season.

Rookie wideout Zay Flowers also stepped up this season, catching 77 passes for 858 yards and five touchdowns. Add in veterans like Odell Beckham Jr. and Nelson Agholor, and the Ravens have one of the deepest stables of pass-catchers Jackson has ever had at his disposal.

That helped the Ravens go 5-1 without Andrews down the stretch, securing the NFL's top record (14-3) and the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs. All roads go through Baltimore, and the potential return of Andrews makes that journey for opposing teams all the more perilous.