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Jamison Hensley, ESPN Staff Writer
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews preached patience Thursday after the worst start of his seven-year career.
Andrews has totaled six catches for 65 yards this season, which are his fewest in the first three games of any season. A three-time Pro Bowler, Andrews was held without a catch in Sunday’s 28-25 win at Dallas, which marked the first time in 76 games that he didn’t record a reception.
“My time will come,” Andrews said after Thursday’s practice.
Andrews, 29, who has been quarterback Lamar Jackson‘s favorite target, has found himself in some challenging circumstances.
In the season opener, Andrews was limited to two receptions for 14 yards because the Kansas City Chiefs often double-teamed him. In Week 2, he produced four catches for 51 yards but would’ve had more if Jackson hadn’t overthrown him when he was wide open deep.
On Sunday, Baltimore went with a run-heavy game plan, and Jackson only threw 15 passes. That led to Andrews participating in 33% of the offensive plays (21 total snaps) and receiving one targeted pass.
“You know, obviously I want the ball,” Andrews said. “I want to be able to help this team win. But it’s just knowing that your time will come and just keep going.”
Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken said he didn’t realize Andrews had such a low number of snaps and attributed it to the game plan.
“We think a lot of Mark,” Monken said. “We anticipate Mark having opportunities.”
It was an even more unusual summer for Andrews, who was involved in a serious car accident Aug. 14. He was not injured but was sidelined for two weeks for an issue not related to the accident.
Andrews said he’s healthy now, and it’s evident by the way he’s moving on the field.
“I’m the same player I’ve always been,” he said. “It’s just balls haven’t come my way.”
A third-round pick in 2018, Andrews has been one of the best tight ends in the game. Since 2019, Andrews has totaled 353 catches and 37 touchdowns. The only tight end to produce more during that span is Chiefs star Travis Kelce.
Andrews said he knows there will be outside noise when he isn’t putting up his usual numbers.
“I mean, all that [fantasy talk] is good and stuff, but they don’t know what’s going on inside this building and how we’re working and what I’m doing,” he said. “They’re not watching me every play. They’re not seeing the type of work that I’m putting in. And so, all good things come with time.”
Also Thursday, Ravens 2024 first-round pick Nate Wiggins spoke about his car accident for the first time since it occurred on Sept. 11. The accident happened a couple of minutes from his apartment, and it caused the rookie cornerback to miss one game with a neck injury and concussion before he returned to play Sunday.
“I was driving, and an 18-wheeler cut me off the road. It made my car flip,” Wiggins said. “It was scary.”
On Sunday, Wiggins finished with two tackles and one forced fumble.
“Once I knew I could get back on the field [and] I knew I was 100 percent, everybody was happy, and I was happy about it,” he said.
Source: www.espn.com