'It's Going to Take Everybody!' to Replace Ravens' Mark Andrews, Says John Harbaugh

Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews is out for the season with an ankle injury, and coach John Harbaugh says it will take everyone on offense to cover the Pro Bowler's absence.

The Baltimore Ravens got the desired result over the Cincinnati Bengals in a 34-20 win, but it came at a huge cost as Pro Bowl tight end Mark Andrews suffered a season-ending ankle injury on the game's first drive after a hip-drop tackle by Logan Wilson.

The Ravens overcame the loss of their star tight end, as every player on offense chimed in and did their part. 

For Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, it will take everyone on offense to help cover the loss of Andrews.

“It's going to be, you say next man up, it's not just the next player in that position, it's all the men, it's all the players stepping up and filling that to replace a player like Mark Andrews," Harbaugh said. "It's going to take everybody, it's going to take a team to do it, and our guys will be up for the challenge and up for the task, but those receivers are obviously going to be a big part of that.”

Fortunately for Baltimore, once Andrews went down, others stepped up and helped fill that void on offense.

Odell Beckham Jr. (4 rec, 116 yards), Zay Flowers (3 rec, 43 yards), Nelson Agholor (1 rec, 37 yards, 1 TD), and Rashod Bateman (1 rec, 10 yards, 1 TD) all contributed in the passing game. 

Ravens tight end Mark Andrews is lost for the season after suffering an ankle injury against the Bengals / Sam Greene-USA TODAY Sports

Running backs Gus Edwards (12 att, 62 yards, 2 TDs) and Keaton Mitchell (8 att, 33 yards) did their bit on the ground, as did Lamar Jackson (9 att, 54 yards) despite an ankle injury clearly hampering him.

Harbaugh acknowledged all the contributors on what was a bittersweet night for the Ravens.

"That's what we wanted, that's kind of part of the plan you want to be able to spread it around give Lamar options," Harbaugh said. "Lamar does a really good job of seeing the field and spreading the ball to where the ball's supposed to go, and then we got a bunch of guys that are able to do something with it. 

"You look at Bateman. The catch he made in the end zone, you look at Odell, the plays he made of course, I think Zay [Flowers] set a record, for a rookie receiver (catches) ever. I just thought all those guys played outstanding even, and the young tight end came in there, Charlie [Kolar]got a catch, and Isaiah [Likely] played really well too.”

So the Ravens were able to overcome the loss of Andrews and move to 8-3 on the season and pull further away in the division. 

With Joe Burrow and Deshaun Watson lost for the season, the Pittsburgh Steelers feel to be Baltimore's only serious contender now (although that could change).

But the Ravens have to show that while covering for Andrews for one game is fine, now, they have to do it for the rest of the season.

Luckily, they boast of a host of explosive weapons that, if they all play to their capable level, should have no problem covering Andrews' absence - easier said than done though.