OWINGS MILLS — Ravens tight end Mark Andrews was able to get back on the field late in the season after a devastating ankle injury last year.
Now, Andrews, a three-time Pro Bowler, has declared himself fully healthy as the Ravens’ training camp begins on Sunday. He is once again expected to play a pivotal role in the offense.
“I feel awesome,” Andrews said as the veterans reported for training camp Saturday. “Like I said, I spent a lot of [time] in the offseason – to work on myself. And again, after OTAs [organized team activities], I just put in that work, and I’m excited to go out there and help this team and continue to grow in this offense and get better together. I feel 100 percent – if not better than I ever have.”
Andrews sustained a fractured fibula and ligament damage in his left ankle against Cincinnati on a controversial hip-drop tackle by Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson on November 16th. Despite missing six games, Andrews still ranked second on the team with 45 receptions for 544 yards and six touchdowns, best among the receivers.
The NFL made the hip-drop tackle illegal this offseason.
Andrews acknowledged that the injury hampered him in a 17-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game when he caught both of his targets for 15 yards.
“There were still some things I was probably battling through that time of year,” Andrews said. “[I] obviously wasn’t full 100 percent in [the AFC Championship], but I worked really hard to get to that point, and it set me up for a really good offseason to work hard. I’ve been running a ton of routes – non-stop routes – with my family, working out. I feel really good right now. I feel fast [and] explosive.”
Andrews looks forward to the potential matchup problems the Ravens could create when he is on the field with fellow tight end Isaiah Likely this season. With Andrews out last season, Likely became a primary target for quarterback Lamar Jackson and scored six touchdowns in the final seven games.
Andrews and Likely are both playmakers and second-year offensive coordinator Todd Monken could use more multiple tight-end sets to take advantage of their strengths.
Third-year tight end Charlier Kolar also could play a bigger role. He stood out the week during the OTAs with his ability to run past defenders and catch balls in the middle of the field.
“It’s going to be special,” Andrews said. “When you have two guys that are dynamic, [there will be] mismatches all over the field – it doesn’t matter where you put us. That’s tough to game-plan for. [We’re] both guys that love to play ball, love to compete, and it’s going to be fun.
“Really, our whole tight end room is special right now, and I’m excited about that. We’re just trying to grow and get better each and every day. [I’m] very thankful to have the tight end group that we have and just continue to get better. So, it’ll be fun to see how we’re used.”