Ravens’ Mark Andrews predicts better days after a slow start

OWINGS MILLS, Md. – Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews preached patience Thursday after the worst start of his seven-year career.

Andrews has totaled six catches for 65 yards this season, which is his fewest in the first three games of a season. A three-time Pro Bowler, Andrews went without a catch in Sunday’s 28-25 win at Dallas, which was the first time in 76 games that he did not record a reception.

“My time will come,” Andrews said after practice on Thursday.

The 29-year-old Andrews, who was quarterback Lamar Jackson’s favorite target, finds himself in a difficult situation.

In the season opener, Andrews was limited to two balls for 14 yards as the Kansas City Chiefs often double-teamed him. He had four catches for 51 yards in Week 2, but would have had more if Jackson hadn’t rushed him when he was wide open downfield.

On Sunday, Baltimore ran a run-heavy game plan and Jackson only threw 15 passes. This resulted in Andrews being involved in 33% of offensive plays (21 total snaps) and receiving a targeted pass.

“You know, of course I want the ball,” Andrews said. “I want to help this team win. But it’s just about knowing that the time will come and you can just keep going.”

Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken said he didn’t know Andrews had so few snaps and attributed it to the game plan.

“We think a lot of Mark,” said Monken. “We think Mark has a chance.”

It’s been an even more unusual summer for Andrews, who was involved in a serious car accident on August 14th. He was not injured, but was sidelined for two weeks due to an issue unrelated to the accident.

Andrews said he is healthy now and it shows in the way he moves on the field.

“I’m the same player I always was,” he said. “It’s just that I lack the courage.”

A third-round pick in 2018, Andrews was one of the best tight ends in the game. Since 2019, Andrews has totaled 353 catches and 37 touchdowns. The only tight end to produce more during that span is Chiefs star Travis Kelce.

Andrews said he knew there would be noise outside if he didn’t call his usual numbers.

“I mean, all that (fantasy talk) is good and all, but they don’t know what’s going on in this building and how we work and what I do,” he said. “They don’t watch me every game. They don’t see what kind of work I do. And so all good things come with time.”

Also on Thursday, the Ravens’ 2024 first-round pick Nate Wiggins spoke about his car accident for the first time since his Sept. 11 car accident. The accident occurred a few minutes from his home and caused the rookie cornerback to miss a game, suffering a neck injury and a concussion before returning to play on Sunday.

“As I was driving, I was run off the road by an 18-wheeler. That caused my car to roll over,” Wiggins said. “It was scary.”

On Sunday, Wiggins finished the game with two tackles and a forced fumble.

“When I knew I could get back on the field (and) knew I was 100 percent, everyone was happy and I was happy about it,” he said.