Andrews OUT? Ravens Not Expected to Play Star Tight End vs. Texans

The Houston Texans are not expected to take on Baltimore Ravens star tight end Mark Andrews on Saturday at M&T Bank Stadium.

While the Houston Texans are expected to be near full strength for Saturday's divisional-round matchup, the Baltimore Ravens will be without one of their offensive stars. 

Pro Bowl tight end Mark Andrews is not expected to be activated from injured reserve ahead of Saturday's contest at M&T Bank Stadium, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Andrew returned to practice this week and was trending upward heading into the weekend after being a full participant. 

Andrew suffered an ankle injury on Nov. 16 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Baltimore initially thought Andrews had suffered a season-ending injury but then gave him "an outside chance" to return for the playoffs. 

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Andrews said Wednesday that if he were 100 percent, he would play. Ravens coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters leading up to Thursday's practice that his status was still "up in the air." 

"It's how I feel at the end of the day," said Andrews. "Just knowing how good this team is, how good our players are, how good our tight ends are, if I feel like I'm going to be helpful to the team, I'm going to go. If I feel like I'm close but not there, [I'll] let these guys go and hopefully get [there] next weekend."

Andrews has been the top target for MVP favorite Lamar Jackson since being drafted out of Oklahoma in 2018. Over the past five seasons, Andrews has been one of the league's most consistent tight ends, ranking in the top three with receptions (347), receiving yards(4,305) and touchdown catches (37). 

The postseason hasn't been kind to Andrews. In five games, the tight end has hauled in 20 catches for 212 yards and hasn't scored a touchdown. Baltimore hasn't won a playoff game since the 2020 season after defeating the Tennessee Titans in the wild-card round. 

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Andrews did not play in the season-opener against Houston back in September. The Ravens secured the 25-9 win after scoring 15 points in the third quarter. Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud struggled, throwing for 242 yards while being sacked five times. 

Jackson, who guided Baltimore to the No. 1 seed with a 13-4 record, threw for 169 yards and an interception. Houston's defense also forced a strip-sack in the closing minutes of the third quarter to set up a Ka'imi Fairbairn 36-yard field. 

Kickoff from M&T Bank Stadium is scheduled for 4:30 ET. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN/ABC.