OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Nearly two months after suffering what was initially feared to be a season-ending ankle injury, Ravens tight end Mark Andrews was designated to return to practice on Friday afternoon.
On injured reserve since hurting his left ankle in the Nov. 16 win over Cincinnati, Andrews was a limited participant, going through positional drills and working out on a side field as the Ravens moved into full-team work. The 28-year-old’s left ankle was heavily taped, but he appeared to move OK, albeit at less than full speed.
“Today was the first day. He did individual [work], and that was it,” head coach John Harbaugh said. “We’ll kind of ramp from there. We’ll get into next week, and we’ll have a better idea.”
Days after being injured on a “hip-drop” tackle by Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson in Week 11, Andrews underwent surgery that was performed by renowned foot and ankle specialist Dr. Robert Anderson in Charlotte, North Carolina. Harbaugh expressed optimism at the time that the sixth-year tight end would have a chance to return to play in the postseason if the Ravens were to make a deep run.
A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Andrews now has a maximum 21-day practice window before Baltimore must activate him or leave him on IR for the remainder of the season. Of course, the Ravens are on their bye week as the AFC’s No. 1 seed and will learn their opponent for the divisional round this weekend.
“He looks good. I think this is his first major surgery, so for him to come back as quickly as he has, we all know he’s been working incredibly hard,” fullback Patrick Ricard said. “We’re all just really proud of the work he’s putting in. We know he wants to be out there with us every second he can. He’s looking really good. He’s a guy that’s a big leader on this team, a great teammate, a great brother, so for us to see him out there, it’s definitely a boost to morale.”
In 10 games this season, Andrews caught 45 passes for 544 yards and six touchdowns. Of course, second-year tight end Isaiah Likely has been superb in his absence, catching 21 passes for 322 yards and five touchdowns over the final six games of the regular season.
Seven players weren’t participating Friday as the Ravens practiced in full pads, a list including wide receivers Zay Flowers (calf) and Tylan Wallace, cornerback Marlon Humphrey (calf), left tackle Ronnie Stanley, outside linebackers Odafe Oweh (ankle) and Malik Harrison (groin), and inside linebacker Del’Shawn Phillips (shoulder). Flowers, Humphrey, Oweh, Harrison, and Phillips haven’t practiced all week, but Humphrey and Harrison were doing some running and agility work on a side field during the media viewing portion of Friday’s workout.
“It’s still early to really predict too much,” said Harbaugh about the status of players not practicing this week. “There’s a ways to go for guys, but they’re certainly on track. I think we’ll know more next week.”
All-Pro selections announced
The 2023 honors continue to roll in for the Ravens with quarterback Lamar Jackson, inside linebacker Roquan Smith, and safety Kyle Hamilton being first-team All-Pro selections by the Associated Press.
This is Jackson’s second first-team selection at quarterback, which usually serves as a good predictor for the AP NFL MVP award. Smith was named to the first team for the second straight season while Hamilton received All-Pro honors for the first time in only his second NFL season.
Three Ravens players were named second-team All-Pro selections: defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, inside linebacker Patrick Queen, and Ricard.
