The Baltimore Ravens can exhale after seeing Mark Andrews back on the field.
Baltimore’s star tight end had missed the team’s last six practices with an undisclosed injury. Those fretting over his Week 1 availability saw a welcome sight Wednesday.
Andrews returned to practice on his 28th birthday, and NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo said the All-Pro “should be OK for Sunday barring a setback.”
Fans are relieved about the positive developments.
“What a beautiful sight!” a fan exclaimed.
What a beautiful sight!!!!!!
— Aaron Brown (@abmonsta) September 6, 2023
“PHEW!” another fan said.
PHEW!!!! https://t.co/C0mZkk8ZVe
— Mike Wright (@FFHitman) September 6, 2023
“Happy birthday, glad he’s back!” a fan rejoiced.
Happy birthday, glad he’s back! https://t.co/HEuYVV5ksA
— Ravens 0-0 (@Simplytw7) September 6, 2023
“Back at practice, ready for Week 1,” another fan declared. “Let’s go baby.”
Back at practice, ready for week 1.
Let’s go baby https://t.co/HVNWsU70sx
— Z.J. Its Moo Time 🐮 (@Purp_BlackVeins) September 6, 2023
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said Monday that he was “still not pushing the panic button” over Andrews’ absence when anticipating this mid-week return. He luckily appears to be on schedule.
Since the start of 2019, Andrews is second to Travis Kelce in catches (302), receiving yards (3,761), and touchdowns (31) among all tight ends. After setting career highs with 107 receptions and 1,361 yards in 2021, he settled for 73 catches and 847 yards in his third Pro Bowl campaign.
Andrews had led the Ravens in receiving in three of the last four years, but he and Lamar Jackson should have more help from a bolstered receiving corps. Baltimore signed Odell Beckham Jr. and drafted Zay Flowers in an offense now run by offensive coordinator Todd Monken.
The Ravens start the 2023 season by hosting the Houston Texans this Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.