OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Mark Andrews didn’t register a catch in the 27-24 overtime loss at Kansas City last December, but the Ravens expect a much different output Sunday in a showdown between undefeated teams.
Andrews is not only becoming Lamar Jackson’s most reliable target, but the 2018 third-round pick is rapidly emerging as one of the NFL’s best tight ends as he enters Week 3 seventh in the league in receiving yards and first among all tight ends. Of his team-leading 16 receptions, six have gone for 20 or more yards and 12 have gone for first downs.
With eight catches for 112 yards and a touchdown in the 23-17 win over Arizona, Andrews became the first tight end in Ravens history to post back-to-back 100-yard receiving games.
“He knows how to get open. He knows how to use his body. He has a knack for the game,” head coach John Harbaugh said. “It’s not all Xs and Os on a card or a play sheet. A lot of it is the human element, the backyard part of it, the feel for where the defender is at, the connection between the quarterback and the receiver to be on the same page.
Andrews is thriving despite a lingering foot issue that again kept him out of Wednesday’s practice. The 24-year-old sat out last Friday’s workout before playing against the Cardinals, which does ease immediate concern about his availability against the Chiefs as long as he’s able to log some practice time by the end of the week.
Fullback and defensive lineman Patrick Ricard (back), safety Brynden Trawick (elbow), and cornerback Jimmy Smith (knee) also missed practice. Smith is not expected to play against Kansas City while Harbaugh has expressed uncertainty about Trawick’s status for Week 3.
Safety Earl Thomas received a veteran day off.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs will be without their starting left tackle against the Ravens as Eric Fisher is expected to undergo groin surgery this week. Pro Bowl wide receiver Tyreek Hill also remains sidelined with a shoulder injury sustained in the season opener.
Kansas City’s top two running backs, Damien Williams and LeSean McCoy, also missed Wednesday’s practice.
Below is Wednesday’s full injury report:
BALTIMORE
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: TE Mark Andrews (foot), DL/FB Pat Ricard (back), CB Jimmy Smith (knee), S Earl Thomas (non-injury), S Brynden Trawick (elbow)
KANSAS CITY
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: OT Eric Fisher (groin), WR Tyreek Hill (shoulder), RB LeSean McCoy (ankle), RB Damien Williams (knee)
FULL PARTICIPATION: G Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (elbow), OL Cam Erving (elbow), TE Travis Kelce (knee), QB Patrick Mahomes (ankle), WR Demarcus Robinson (elbow)
