Ravens’ replacement for TE Mark Andrews is there for the taking

Ravens All-Professional TE Mark Andrews suffered a “severe” ankle damage in Week 11, leaving an enormous gap within the offense. However the excellent substitute for Andrews is accessible for the taking.

Three-time Prow Bowl TE Zach Ertz is a free agent after being granted his launch from the Cardinals final week. Baltimore has been named as a staff to “keep an eye on” for the veteran as he desires to play for a contender.

It might make loads of sense for the Ravens, who’re the No. 2 seed within the AFC with a 9-3 file, so as to add Ertz. They’ve Tremendous Bowl aspirations this season and it’ll solely assist so as to add a participant that is already hoisted a Lombardi Trophy in his profession (Tremendous Bowl LII champion).

Ertz has proven he has some fuel left within the tank, posting 27 catches for 187 yards and a landing in seven video games this 12 months. He was positioned on injured reserve earlier this season resulting from a quadriceps damage however is totally wholesome now.

There may be nonetheless an opportunity that Andrews makes a return this 12 months, however it would not be attainable until Baltimore makes it deep into the postseason.

In accordance with NFL Community’s Ian Rapoport, Andrews suffered a cracked fibula and an ankle ligament damage. It’s nonetheless believed to be a long-term damage, however there’s an opportunity he might return later within the 12 months.

“It wasn’t as dangerous as initially feared proper after the sport. It is just a little cleaner than they thought based mostly on the MRI,” head coach John Harbaugh told reporters. “There may be an out of doors probability he might get again in some unspecified time in the future in time. We’ll simply should see how that goes, however there’s some optimism.”

Both method, including Ertz to the already gifted roster is a win-win state of affairs. The Ravens can have the gifted tight finish the remainder of the best way or create a two-headed monster on the place if Andrews had been in a position to get wholesome.