TE Mark Andrews reportedly set to return, providing the Baltimore Ravens with more pass-catching juice

Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews, 10 weeks removed from what many thought to be a season-ending ankle injury, is set to return for the team's AFC championship battle with the Kansas City Chiefs, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

As Andrews writhed in pain only seven snaps, two catches and four minutes of game time into Baltimore's Week 11 contest against the Cincinnati Bengals, a thick cloud of uncertainty shrouded the team's offense. Out for the count was the linchpin of the best receiving unit of quarterback Lamar Jackson‘s NFL career.

But the Ravens never let on that they couldn't do without the All-Pro tight end. Isaiah Likely stepped up immediately, catching four passes for 40 yards in Week 12 before scoring six times in his past six games.

The intriguing part about Andrews' return is not whether he will improve the Ravens' offense — that's a given. It's that Baltimore now boasts two significant weapons at tight end. Before Andrews' injury, Likely had nine catches on 10 targets, primarily working as a run blocker, despite flashing pass-game promise as a rookie.

From Week 12 onward, only five tight ends have graded out higher than Likely (75.1). His stat line over the span includes 8.5 yards after the catch per reception (fourth best), 10 plays of 15-plus yards (fourth most) and a 157.4 passer rating when targeted (second best).

Offensive coordinator Todd Monken deployed 12 personnel — one running back, two tight ends and two wide receivers — only 14.2% of the time from Weeks 1-10 with both Likely and Andrews healthy. That clip ranked 25th, and it dropped to 31st from Weeks 12-18 with Andrews injured.

Now that Andrews and Likely are healthy, Monken can relive his days as Georgia's offensive coordinator from 2020 to 2022, a span in which the Bulldogs ranked fifth among 133 FBS teams in 12 personnel usage rate.

Highest 12 Personnel Usage Rates | 2020-2022, FBS

Andrews is the clear leader in Baltimore's tight end room, but there is a new avenue of offensive creativity for Monken to tap into thanks to Likely's impressive receiving chops.