The Baltimore Ravens may be without one of their top weapons on offense in Week 1, as tight end Mark Andrews reportedly is not expected to play with a quad injury.
#Ravens TE Mark Andrews, who has dealt with a quad injury for the last few weeks and is listed as questionable, is not likely to play vs the #Texans, per me and @TomPelissero. A bit of a surprise.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 10, 2023
Andrews has been dealing with the injury for a few weeks, but it’s surprising to see him ruled out of this game. It does make sense if he’s not 100 percent since the Ravens have some crucial division games in the next five weeks.
Here’s the outlook for Andrews’ injury, as well as how you can take advantage of the betting markets in Week 1 of this game.
Mark Andrews injury status for Week 1 game against Houston Texans
Andrews is still listed as questionable on the Ravens’ injury report, but it looks unlikely that he’ll be able to suit up in this game.
That should boost Odell Beckham Jr., Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman and Isaiah Likely as options in the Baltimore passing game. For fantasy owners, this is a tough blow since Andrews was one of the top tight ends taken in drafts this year.
Best prop bet target if Mark Andrews is out for Ravens
If Andrews does get ruled out – and it’s looking like he will be – Likely is next in line at the tight end spot for Baltimore.
In the game Andrews missed last season in Week 9, Likely caught one of his five targets for a 24-yard touchdown. However, he also played well in Week 8 last year with Andrews limited due to a shoulder injury, catching six of seven targets for 77 yards and a score.
I don’t mind taking a shot on Likely to score in this game in the prop market. We don’t know how the Ravens’ receiving corps will shake out with Beckham Jr. and Flowers now in the fold, so taking Likely to find the end zone is a bit safer than some of his prop numbers.
Texans vs. Ravens odds move after Mark Andrews injury news
The Ravens opened up at 10-point favorites for Sunday’s matchup with the Texans, but with Andrews looking like he’s going to miss this game, the line has moved in favor of Houston.
The Texans are now +9.5 against the Ravens – which still suggests that Baltimore should win pretty easily.
Bettors shouldn’t be as worried about the full game outcome as they should be in the prop market.
Mark Andrews injury history
Andrews doesn’t have a lengthy injury history, as he missed one game last season with the shoulder ailment.
In 2020, Andrews had a thigh injury but did not miss a game, and he did miss the team’s Week 17 game in 2019 with an ankle issue. Still, Andrews has played in at least 14 games in every season in his NFL career.
When is Mark Andrews coming back?
For now, it seems a little unclear on when Andrews will return. The Ravens may be holding him out for precautionary reasons since the team faces the Cincinnati Bengals – the AFC North favorites – in Week 2.
Since he was questionable for Week 1, that bodes well for Andrews’ chances of returning sooner rather than later.
Baltimore Ravens next 5 opponents
- Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Sept. 17
- Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 24
- Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Oct. 1
- Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday Oct. 8
- Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Oct. 15
Baltimore Ravens injury report
- Mark Andrews – questionable, quad
- Marlon Humphrey – foot, out
Houston Texans injury report
- Blake Cashman – hamstring, out
- John Metchie III – hamstring, out
- Jimmie Ward – hip, out
- Dare Ogunbowale – hamstring, questionable
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.