The Baltimore Ravens coach explains Mark Andrews' lack of playing time

To say that Mark Andrews was slow through the first three games of the season would be an understatement.

In three games, Andrews had just six catches for 65 yards, including not a single catch in the Ravens' 28-25 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday at AT&T Stadium. The former All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowler played in just 33 percent of the team's offensive snaps, his fewest in a game in which he did not suffer an injury since December 8, 2019, and it was the first time that He has been without a catch since October 23, 2022, and that is the third time in his career.

While Andrew's lack of production and playing time over three weeks could be a concern, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh noted that he had to address the personnel groups they used against Dallas and that he's not the only player on display is Your playing time will be significantly shortened if the game schedule requires it.

“It will probably be part of the game plan every week – and a lot of it depends on how the game goes,” Harbaugh said. “But Mark (Andrews) did what was asked of him in the game – it just happened that way. It wasn't that he wasn't in the passing lanes – he could have thrown the ball; “It just happened.” “The blockages came his way.”

In comparison, Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely played 66 percent of the team's offensive snaps. He had just one catch for four yards in the win over Dallas.

While Andrews playing in less than 35 percent of the team's snaps might be concerning, there's no doubt that Baltimore has been able to thrive with and without him on the field. Baltimore ran for 274 yards and three touchdowns. Running back Derrick Henry led the way with 25 carries for 151 yards and two touchdowns, while quarterback Lamar Jackson ran the ball 14 times for 87 yards and a score.

Harbaugh attributed his team's success to every unit on offense, including Andrews and Likely, blocking.

“The perimeter blocking was OK the first two weeks, but in (yesterday’s) game it was outstanding,” Harbaugh said. “Mark Andrews might have had three (or) four pancakes. Isaiah Likely – he was out there reaching out to the guys. The wide receivers had our best blocking game in a long time.”

Baltimore (1-2) will look to stay in the win column on Sunday when it hosts the undefeated Buffalo Bills (3-0) on Sunday Night Football at 8:20 p.m. ET at M&T Bank Stadium.

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