New England Patriots center David Andrews will undergo shoulder surgery, which is expected to sideline him for the rest of the season. Head coach Jerod Mayo shared the news, emphasizing the significant loss Andrews’ absence represents for the team. Andrews, an eight-year captain, has been a critical figure for the offensive line, providing both leadership and strong communication.
Despite his injury, Mayo said Andrews will remain close to the team and may assist in a coaching-type role moving forward. Andrews was injured during last weekend’s loss to the San Francisco 49ers, and his spot was filled by veteran Nick Leverett, who was signed in the offseason.
Nick Leverett, who replaced Andrews during the game, performed admirably under the circumstances. Mayo expressed confidence that with more practice reps, Leverett will continue to improve.
Though the loss of Andrews is a substantial blow, Mayo confirmed it does not affect the team’s ongoing development of rookie quarterback Drake Maye. Veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett spoke to Andrews’ toughness, noting that Andrews had considered playing through the injury, which was unsurprising given his reputation as a resilient player. Andrews’ absence, however, signals that the injury is serious.
Mayo is also considering a change at running back due to Rhamondre Stevenson’s recent ball security issues. Stevenson has fumbled in all four of the Patriots’ games this season, leading Mayo to contemplate starting Antonio Gibson in Stevenson’s place.
Mayo stressed the importance of ball security and indicated that continuing to play Stevenson as the primary back could send the wrong message to the rest of the team. The coach emphasized that certain mistakes, such as fumbles, are detrimental to winning games, especially given the Patriots’ current situation.
Stevenson, who has rushed for 267 yards and scored two touchdowns so far this season, admitted that he needs to improve his ball-handling. He acknowledged being tougher on himself than anyone else and stated his commitment to correcting the issue.
Meanwhile, Gibson, who has served as the backup, has shown promise with 155 rushing yards and 82 receiving yards on fewer touches. With both running backs offering similar size and skills, Mayo may lean toward giving Gibson more opportunities to start in an effort to emphasize the importance of protecting the football.
On a positive note, the Patriots saw the return of wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, linebacker Sione Takitaki, and safety/linebacker Marte Mapu to practice this week. All three players had been on the physically unable to perform (PUP) or injured reserve lists since the start of the season.
Their return to practice could provide much-needed depth and versatility as the Patriots aim to improve their 1-3 record and move forward after a challenging start to the season.
