The New England Patriots are facing a major setback as veteran center David Andrews will be out for the rest of the season due to a shoulder injury that requires surgery. Head coach Jerod Mayo confirmed the news, stating that Andrews will likely be placed on injured reserve and will not return this season.
Andrews sustained the injury during the opening drive of the Patriots’ Week 4 game against the San Francisco 49ers and was replaced by Nick Leverett in the lineup. His absence will be sorely felt as he was the most reliable player on the Patriots’ struggling offensive line. The offensive line was already ranked among the weakest in the NFL, with low grades in both run-blocking and pass-blocking by Pro Football Focus. They have also struggled to create running lanes and protect the quarterback effectively.
The Patriots were cautious about putting rookie quarterback Drake Maye into a difficult situation behind the struggling offensive line, and Andrews’ injury only adds to their concerns. While Jacoby Brissett will continue to start at quarterback, there may come a time when Maye will need to step in. However, the challenging circumstances with the offensive line and lack of elite skill-position players will make it tough for Maye to showcase his abilities effectively.
In his limited playing time against the New York Jets, Maye faced significant pressure and struggled to make an impact. If he is called upon to start, he will likely face similar challenges due to the instability of the offensive line. The Patriots will need to find ways to protect their young quarterback and establish a more effective offense in Andrews’ absence.
