The Ravens should strongly consider resting Mark Andrews in Week 9

Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews has been a remarkably durable player since entering the league in 2018. In fact, the All-Pro tight end has never missed a game due to injury in his five-year career to this point.

That could be set to change in Week 9, however.

Andrews was held out of practice for the second consecutive day on Friday with both knee and shoulder injuries. He entered the team’s Week 8 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a knee injury only to hurt his shoulder in the middle of the game.

Andrews is significantly banged up going into the team’s Monday night matchup with the New Orleans Saints and it might just be in the best interest of both parties to rest him this week.

Why the Ravens should rest Mark Andrews in Week 9

The Ravens have already lost one of their most important offensive weapons for the season in wide receiver Rashod Bateman. They can ill afford to lose another key offensive player, especially Andrews.

In Bateman’s case, the Ravens might regret playing in him that Thursday night game against the Buccaneers —one that saw him reaggravate his foot injury. There’s no reason to take a similar risk with Andrews.

That’s especially true given that the Ravens have their bye next week. Andrews would have 24 days in between games to rest and rehab because of the Thursday night game he played and the bye week.

For a Ravens team looking to make a long playoff run, they need Andrews to be as healthy as possible down the stretch. There’s no sense in risking further injury this week when it would be so advantageous to rest him.

It’s not as if they’d be completely lost without him either. Rookie tight end Isaiah Likely shined in Andrews’ absence this past week and could handle a similar role in Week 9 if need be.

The Ravens don’t need to take any further chances with their star players. Rest Andrews this week and let him return healthy and rejuvenated after the bye week.