The Ravens activated two players from injured reserve before Saturday’s meeting with Houston in the divisional round, but three-time Pro Bowl tight end Mark Andrews wasn’t one of them.
Needing to make final roster moves by Friday’s 4 p.m. deadline, Baltimore activated two-time Pro Bowl return specialist and wide receiver Devin Duvernay and defensive back Ar’Darius Washington from IR after both practiced fully all week. Andrews, who was designated to return to practice last Friday after undergoing major ankle surgery two months ago, will now wait and see if the Ravens beat the Texans to advance to their first AFC title game in 11 years. The 28-year-old was listed as a full practice participant on Wednesday and Thursday and officially designated as questionable on the final injury report, but head coach John Harbaugh acknowledged his status for the divisional round was “still up in the air” after Thursday’s workout.
“I think it’s how I feel at the end of the day,” said Andrews about his chances of playing in the divisional round on Wednesday. “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’m going to go. If I feel like I’m close but not there, I’ll let these guys go and hopefully get there next weekend.”
The tight end position has been in great hands in Andrews’ absence with Isaiah Likely making 21 catches for 322 yards and five touchdowns over the final six games of the regular season.
Duvernay’s return comes at an opportune time with backup punt returner and reserve receiver Tylan Wallace officially out with a knee injury suffered in practice last week. Washington hasn’t played since sustaining a pectoral injury in September and will provide depth at the nickel spot in the secondary.
The Ravens also elevated wide receiver Dan Chisena and inside linebacker Josh Ross from the practice squad to contribute on special teams in Saturday’s game. Reserve inside linebacker and special-teams standout Del’Shawn Phillips is officially listed as questionable for the divisional round, but he hasn’t practiced since injuring his shoulder in the regular-season finale against Pittsburgh.
Two days after being waived, veteran running back Melvin Gordon re-signed to the practice squad. Four-time Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook took Gordon’s spot on the 53-man roster Thursday and will be making his Ravens debut against Houston.
