BALTIMORE -- Baltimore Ravens rookie tight end Mark Andrews came to the sideline after making his latest big play, and some of the older players called him "Bavaro."

Andrews asked coach John Harbaugh what that meant.

"I told him to Google 'Mark Bavaro' tonight," Harbaugh said.

Like the former New York Giants tight end, Andrews wears No. 89 and stands over 6 feet 4 and can make an impact in the passing game -- at least through three games.

In Sunday's 27-14 win over the Broncos, Andrews set the franchise's single-game rookie tight end record with 59 yards receiving. He set up two scoring drives, catching passes of 30 and 29 yards.

It's easy to see why Andrews sparked memories of Bavaro, whose nine-year career ended in 1994. Andrews, 23, was born one year later.

"I have to do a little research and see what's that is all about," Andrews said. "I'm hoping he was good."

Andrews' strong start to the season is a surprise considering how his training camp began. He was sidelined for a chunk of the summer with a hamstring injury, which put the third-round pick in catch-up mode.

But Andrews then benefited from an injury. When first-round pick Hayden Hurst had foot surgery for a stress fracture, Andrews became Baltimore's top pass-catching tight end.

Hurst could miss two to three more games because the Ravens aren't going to rush him back. This might mean quarterback Joe Flacco will be looking at Andrews over the middle at Pittsburgh and Cleveland.

"It’s a bummer that Hayden went down, but at the same time, I didn’t come here to sit on the bench the whole time," Andrews said. "I’m excited with what I’ve done. There’s obviously been more opportunities with [Hurst] being down. I’m just trying to take advantage of that. I’m extremely excited for him to get back. He’s incredible and a very dangerous player. He’s going to do a lot for this offense."

Last season, Andrews became the favorite target of Baker Mayfield at Oklahoma. He produced 958 receiving yards -- which were 194 more than any other tight end that year.

After being the No. 86 overall pick in April, he impressed teammates and coaches with his downfield speed and ability to get in and out of breaks. For the season, Andrews has caught eight passes for 107 yards, which are more than Evan Engram, Trey Burton and Vernon Davis.

In his last game, Andrews found a way to get open around the goal line when Flacco began to scramble. It led to a 1-yard touchdown.

On Sunday, Andrews leaped over two Broncos defenders for a 30-yard gain.

"I think Mark’s a huge [threat]," Flacco said. "He can be a difference-maker down the middle of the field on things like that. He’s a big body. He can run well."

Flacco certainly does love connecting with his tight ends. Since entering the NFL in 2008, Flacco has targeted tight ends on 1,116 passes. Only Drew Brees, Philip Rivers and Tom Brady have thrown more to tight ends.

"Joe is one of the first quarterbacks that I’ve played with that you need chemistry with," Andrews said. "He’s always looking for the quick throw and the eyes early. Just being able to get a couple of balls in these last couple of games -- that chemistry is just starting to get going. He’s one of those guys that when you get chemistry, it can be scary."