Mark Andrews Suffers 'Season-Ending' Injury On First Ravens Drive, Lamar Jackson Slams Helmet After Losing Star TE

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The Baltimore Ravens offense got off to a quick start on Thursday Night Football against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The team moved the ball down the field nearly effortlessly. Quarterback Lamar Jackson hit tight end Mark Andrews for a pair of solid plays.

Unfortunately, on Andrews' second reception of the game's opening drive he suffered what appeared to be a lower leg injury.

After the game, Ravens coach John Harbaugh confirmed that the injury would be season-ending for Andrews, suffering a 'serious' ankle injury. The Ravens managed to win, 34-20.

Harbaugh said after the game, "Unfortunately on the negative side, Mark Andrews has a very serious ankle injury. It looks Iike a season-ending injury. So our prayers will be with Mark."

After catching a pass from Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews suffered an ankle injury against the Bengals.

After catching a pass from Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews suffered an ankle injury against the Bengals. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Jackson hit Andrews for a nine-yard gain that moved the Ravens inside the Bengals 5-yard line.

Cincinnati defender Logan Wilson wrapped up Andrews and performed a "hip-drop" tackle. His body weight appeared to land right on Andrews left leg.

Lamar Jackson and Mark Andrews came into the NFL together in 2018 and have been a strong duo for the Ravens ever since. This year, Andrews entered the game with more than 500 yards receiving. Jackson showed visible frustration seeing one of his favorite targets lying on the ground, writhing in pain.

Lamar Jackson spoke on losing Mark Andrews for the rest of the year.

"We've been bread and butter. Peanut butter and jelly. Whatever you want to call it," Jackson said.

"But that's very tough because that's my boy. That's like receiver one sometimes. And for him to go out first quarter and he'd been having a remarkable year.

"One touchdown away from a record, I think. That's tough, man. But we got to somehow do it without him. We got (Isaiah) Likely. We got Charlie (Kolar). We got guys who are going to step up, but it's tough."

Mark Andrews limps off field, Ravens and Lamar Jackson not getting their star TE back for Thursday night's game

Andrews ultimately walked off the field under his own power. However, he was limping fairly significantly and went right to the blue medical tent.

Then, the team took him to the locker room and he headed into the x-ray room on a pair of crutches.

Shortly thereafter, the team announced that Andrews is done for the night.

The Ravens entered this matchup against the Bengals with a 7-3 record and many people consider them one of the NFL's top teams. That's contingent on a healthy Mark Andrews, though, who is one of the league's premiere tight ends.

The emergence of rookie receiver Zay Flowers takes some of the pressure off Andrews, but there's no question the veteran tight end is a major factor in Baltimore's offensive success.

With Mark Andrews not returning to Thursday Night Football against the Bengals, Lamar Jackson has to finish the game without his favorite target.

Not only that, but Jackson suffered his own leg injury, also from a tackle by Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson.

Jackson returned to the field on the team's next series. But, now he's without Mark Andrews and playing at less than 100%.

We'll see how the Ravens offense plays in light of those two tough first-quarter developments.

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Dan began his sports media career at ESPN, where he survived for nearly a decade. Once the Stockholm Syndrome cleared, he made his way to Outkick. He is secure enough in his masculinity to admit he is a cat-enthusiast with three cats, one of which is named “Brady” because his wife wishes she were married to Tom instead of him.