Ravens TE Mark Andrews opens up about slow start to season

Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs isn't the only noteworthy tight end off to a slow start this NFL season. 

Across the Baltimore Ravens' first three games, Mark Andrews tallied just six receptions for 65 yards and no touchdowns. In last Sunday's 28-25 win over the Dallas Cowboys, Andrews was held to zero catches for the first time in 76 regular-season contests. 

He spoke with reporters on Thursday and insisted his "time will come" to make plays, perhaps as soon as this Sunday night when 1-2 Baltimore hosts the 3-0 Buffalo Bills. 

"I feel great," Andrews explained, as shared by Ryan Mink of the Ravens' website. "I think you saw in the film, you see the way I'm moving. I think I'm doing a lot of things better than I ever have. And, yeah, you know, it's different. We've got a different team, but I still feel incredibly good and fast and strong. And I'm the same player I've always been. It's just balls haven't come my way."

Andrews was sidelined for roughly two months of action last season due to a left ankle injury, and he missed a couple of weeks of practice this past August following a scary car accident. As The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec pointed out, though, the Ravens "trying to be less predictable and spread the ball around more" is seemingly more responsible for Andrews' lackluster numbers than the fact that he may not be fully fit in the early days of fall. 

Specifically, ESPN's Matt Bowen mentioned that Andrews ran just three routes against the Cowboys, while quarterback Lamar Jackson attempted only 15 passes. 

"The Ravens' usage of (tight end) Isaiah Likely (49 routes run this season) is playing a role here," Bowen continued, "plus the ball simply isn't going to Andrews despite his route deployment."

That last point seemingly isn't lost on Andrews, who wants to contribute more to the offense beginning with the Week 4 matchup against the Bills. 

"You know, obviously I want the ball. I want to be able to help this team win," Andrews added. "But it's just knowing that your time will come and just keep going."

As of Friday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Ravens as 2.5-point home favorites against the Bills. Perhaps Jackson will target Andrews early and often on Sunday night as Baltimore looks to get back to a .500 record on the campaign.