Could the Baltimore Ravens be getting tight end Mark Andrews back for the playoffs?

The Ravens have designated Andrews to return from the injured reserve, and he was back on the practice field on Friday afternoon, via Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk.

Andrews has been sidelined since Week 12 due to an ankle injury he suffered during his team’s win over the Cincinnati Bengals back on Nov. 16.

While this does not necessarily mean that Andrews will actually play in the postseason, it does mean that he will be available if he is healthy enough, which is a massive update for Baltimore’s offense.

In the 10 games he played this season, Andrews logged 45 catches for 544 yards and six touchdowns.

The 28-year-old, who played his collegiate football at the University of Oklahoma, was selected by the Ravens in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Andrews entered the league the same year as Lamar Jackson, and when Jackson took over as starting quarterback midway through his rookie campaign, Andrews instantly became his favorite target, and he has been Jackson’s go-to guy in the aerial attack ever since.

The star pass-catcher has made three trips to the Pro Bowl, most recently doing so last year when he caught 73 passes for 847 yards and five scores. Andrews’ best season, however, came in 2021, when he hauled in 107 receptions for 1,361 yards and nine touchdowns. He not only made the Pro Bowl, but also earned a First-Team All-Pro selection that year.

Baltimore went 13-4 this season, notching the best record in the NFL. As a result, the Ravens locked up a first-round bye, which will give Andrews an extra week to get right.

Andrews was initially expected to be out for the playoffs, but he seems to be making great progress. Who knows? Maybe Baltimore will have him as soon as the Divisional Round.

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