Ravens will have star player back for AFC Championship Game

The Baltimore Ravens are getting one of their best players back for Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs after officially activating tight end Mark Andrews from injured reserve. Andrews has been a full participant in practice all week with clear momentum building for him to be back in the lineup. With Friday's news that he is back on the active roster all potential hurdles have been cleared for quarterback Lamar Jackson to have his most reliable -- and favorite -- target back on the field.

Andrews has not played since Nov. 16 when he suffered an ankle injury in a win over the Cleveland Browns. The Ravens had always hoped he could return at some point, and now they will have him for one of their biggest games of the season with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line. 

Andrews, a three-time Pro Bowl selection and former first-team All-Pro, caught 45 passes for 544 yards and six touchdowns in 10 games this season before suffering his ankle injury. He finished the regular season second on the team in receptions (with 10 more than the third-leading receiver) despite having missed the final six games of the regular season. 

He led the team in receptions in each of the previous four seasons and was Jackson's safety net in the passing game. This week Jackson referred to Andrews as his "bread and butter." 

Isaiah Likely emerged as a favorite target of Jackson during Andrews' absence. He will almost certainly continue to be an option, but Andrews has the potential to be a game-changer in the middle of the field.

The only concern will be whether or not Andrews is at full health and whether or not he will be limited. But he has been practicing with the team for a couple of weeks now and has been a full participant all week. The Ravens have clearly taken their time in bringing him back. His presence alone should still cause matchup problems and draw the attention of the Chiefs defense.