Ravens tight end Mark Andrews' season likely ended on Thursday, Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh told reporters after his team's 34-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Harbaugh described his three-time Pro Bowl tight end's ankle injury as "serious" before adding it looked "like a season-ending injury."
A serious injury was indeed the case following Friday's MRI. Andrews suffered a cracked fibula and an ankle ligament injury, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per a source. Rapoport adds that it's believed to be a long-term injury, and Baltimore will consult with Dr. Robert Anderson in Charlotte next week for more info.
"We've been bread and butter. Peanut butter and jelly. Whatever you want to call it," quarterback Lamar Jackson said when reacting to the news on Thursday night. "But that's very tough because that's my boy. That's like receiver one sometimes. And for him to go out first quarter and he'd been having a remarkable year. One touchdown away from a record, I think. That's tough, man. But we got to somehow do it without him. We got (Isaiah) Likely. We got Charlie (Kolar). We got guys who are going to step up, but it's tough."
The tight end injured his left ankle in the first quarter on a hip-drop tackle by Logan Wilson following a 9-yard reception in which he was brought down on the Cincinnati 4-yard line.
Andrews was able to walk off the field, went to the medical tent, and then to the locker room. He later went to the X-ray room just before the team officially announced he would not return.
He had a pair of catches for 23 yards on the opening drive. Two plays after Andrews' second catch and subsequent injury, Baltimore running back Gus Edwards scored to give the Ravens an early lead.
Andrews has been one of Jackson's favorite targets in 2023, garnering 45 receptions for 544 yards and six touchdowns, and his likely absence will be difficult for the Ravens even as they head into the stretch run of the season leading the AFC North at 8-3.
