Ravens' Mark Andrews adopted unique rehab method to return for playoffs

After suffering a fractured fibula in Week 11, Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews went to creative lengths to give himself a chance at being ready to return in time for the postseason. 

A full participant in Ravens practice Wednesday, Andrews is on track to play in Saturday's divisional round matchup against the Houston Texans, and he may have Hall of Fame wideout Terrell Owens partially to thank. 

While speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Andrews endlessly praised the Ravens' medical staff for his progress and providing a clear path back to the field. However, he also credited the use of a hyperbaric oxygen chamber in his rehab, which he says has helped speed up the healing process. 

"There's a lot of different things I'm doing to get better. I know Terrell Owens, he kind of had the same injury, the hyperbaric oxygen chamber, all that good stuff," Andrews said via Garrett Downing of the Ravens. "I'm doing everything I can to get back, get ready." 

Owens helped draw attention to the technique in 2004, returning after seven weeks from a similar injury to play in Super Bowl XXXIX, where he caught nine of 14 targets for 122 yards on a hobbled leg, albeit in a loss. 

Andrews didn't promise Owens' loft stat line on Saturday, nor did he confirm that he'll even play. When asked about his status, he said matter of factly that the Ravens are a talented enough team to win without him, adding that he wouldn't suit up if he believed it'd hurt the cause.

"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," Andrews said via Ryan Mink of the Ravens. "If I feel like I'm close but not there, I'm going to let these guys go and hopefully get there next weekend."

Only eight weeks removed from surgery to repair the fracture and ligament damage in his ankle, a return to the field Saturday for Andrews would be somewhat miraculous. 

Once expected to miss the remainder of the year, barring a deep playoff run, being back in time for the postseason opener, even in the divisional round, would be a big lift for the already formidable Ravens. 

However, if he can't give it a go against the Texans, at least he'll know that no stone was left unturned in his attempt.