Patriots' David Andrews opts for season-ending surgery on shoulder injury
FOXBORO -- The Patriots offensive line will reportedly be without its anchor for the rest of the 2024 season. Center David Andrews has opted to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery.
Head coach Jerod Mayo confirmed the surgery Wednesday morning and said Andrews will likely be placed on IR in the near future. New England's longtime team captain was reportedly open to playing through the injury as long as it didn't mean he'd miss time in 2025, according to Mark Daniels of MassLive.
Andrews, 32, wants to play again next season. He has spent his entire career in New England since signing with the Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2015, winning two Super Bowls and being named a member of the franchise's All-2010s team.
"It's tough," Mayo said of losing Andrews. "One thing about Dave, the first word I'd say is 'toughness.' He's been a captain and has great leadership ability. He's tough and communicates across the front."
Mayo said that he expects Andrews will continue to be around the team, but it will be a "next man up" mentality along the offensive line.
Andrews was injured during New England's first possession of the team's Week 4 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. The Patriots turned to Nick Leverett at center, and will likely be elevating Bryan Hudson off the practice squad to serve as his backup for Week 5 against the Miami Dolphins.
"I thought Nick did a decent job filling in last game," said Mayo. "Now that he'll get more reps at practice, we expect him to get better every single day."
Earlier this week, Andrews spoke about his frustration with the injury and the decision he was weighing on his "Quick Snap Podcast" earlier this week.
"Being hurt is a very frustrating thing, especially when you want to be out there playing," Andrews told former teammate Brian Hoyer. "As a player, sometimes you have to make decisions if you being out there is the best thing for the team, and if you can perform. ... I'm going to try to get better as quick as I can, and see where things go -- or what has to go. I'm just trying to figure all that stuff out."
Losing Andrews is catastrophic for the New England offensive line, which has been battling injuries -- and overall lackluster play -- to start 2024. Left tackle has been a revolving door with four different starters -- Chuks Okorarof, Vederian Lowe, Caedan Wallace, and Demontrey Jacobs -- over the first four weeks. Okorafor opted to leave the team after his Week 1 benching, while Lowe and Wallace have dealt with injuries. Starting left guard Sidy Sow was also sidelined for the first three weeks of the season.
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