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The NFL season is filled with twists and turns, ups and downs, and controversy around every corner. Thursday nights have become center stage for drama in 2023, and this past week was no exception.
In the past few years, the league decided to add football to our calendars on Thursday evenings, something that at first, seemed like a fantastic idea. Who wouldn't want more football? Well, as of late, it feels like those games have been filled with nothing but bad football, tired players, controversy, ugly officiating, and tons of injuries.
In the kickoff to Week 11, the Bengals faced off against the Ravens in what appeared to be our first thrilling matchup. Before the night ended, it had become just the opposite, as two stars, Bengals QB Joe Burrow, and Ravens TE Mark Andrews were lost for the season with devasting injuries. When is Andrews returning to the field? Let's find out.
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Mark Andrews Latest Injury Update - November 30
Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews (ankle) is set underwent surgery last week in Charlotte with specialist Robert Anderson doing the procedure, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. Andrews suffered the ankle injury the first quarter of the Thursday Night Football contest in Week 11, and he is expected to miss the remainder of the 2023 season.
However, head coach Jim Harbaugh said on Monday that Andrews has an "outside chance" of returning this season. He did not speculate on whether the potential return could be in the regular season or postseason. It would be surprising to see Andrews take the field again this year, but he'll likely do everything in his power to come back for the Ravens' playoff push in January.
Mark Andrews Injury Update for Fantasy Football
The Baltimore Ravens are having a sensational 2023 season. Through the first 11 weeks of the year, they have compiled an 8-3 record and are sitting comfortably in first place in the AFC North. They are playing good football on both sides of the ball, and are clicking on most cylinders.
In the first quarter of Thursday's 34-20 victory, their good vibes came to a crashing and sudden halt in the form of their primary weapon. After catching his second pass of the night, Andrews was tackled from behind by Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson after crossing the five-yard line en route to the end zone and went down while grabbing his lower leg. He was unable to walk off the field without a significant limp, and fantasy owners were holding their collective breaths.
After being ruled out for the game, and then subsequently undergoing an MRI, tests revealed the star tight end had suffered a cracked fibula and an ankle ligament injury. Yikes. A significant blow to the player, the team, and fantasy football fans.
Mark Andrews Fantasy Football Outlook
Fantasy football is not for the faint of heart. It can be the most exhilarating feeling in the world when you make it through an entire season without suffering any catastrophic injuries to your roster and claim that elusive championship trophy. It can also be the most painful and helpless feeling when you lose one of your star players for the season and have little to no way of replacing him.
As if losing Andrews for the season wasn't tough enough, waking up the next morning realizing you have to check the waiver wire and look for his replacement can be almost as painful. Odds are there is no one available worthy of even coming close to meeting his production. Another avenue would be to scramble to your phone to text fellow managers and beg them to trade you a TE before the upcoming trade deadline, which would likely mean sacrificing another major piece of your roster in return.
Without question, Andrews was quarterback Lamar Jackson's favorite and most reliable target. Before his injury, the 6' 5" 28-year-old had compiled 45 receptions for 544 yards and six touchdowns on 61 targets. He was Jackson's security blanket, most valuable weapon, and his most trustworthy pass catcher. Now he is lost for the season and likely longer, and fantasy owners must search for other options moving forward.
It is yet to be determined how long Andrews will be out past this season, as he still must meet with doctors to determine his ultimate fate. However, as fantasy managers scramble to find alternatives, I offer the best solution. If you are still in possession of a healthy amount of your FAAB, spend it all on his replacement, second-year TE Isaiah Likely. The team loves him, he has proven to fit into the offense, and he should likely (no pun intended) see a healthy amount of targets moving forward.
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