Head Coach Jerod Mayo announced on Wednesday that longtime center David Andrews needs shoulder surgery and that he is out for the season. The injury is a crushing blow for an offensive line that is already thin and struggling. According to sources, Andrews was seeking second opinions but apparently that is no longer an option.
Mayo talked about the impact of the Andrews loss.
“It’s tough. One thing about Dave, the first word I would say is just toughness. He’s a guy who, he’s been a captain here, he has great leadership ability, he’s tough, he’s able to communicate across the front, and it’s definitely a huge loss. With that being said, we’ve got to – next man up. Next man up, and I know that sounds very cliché, but that’s the mentality. We fully expect him to still be around the building, and maybe he’ll be a future coach at some point in time, but we’ll see.”
Andrews played all 17 games last season and was a rock in the middle of the Patriots offensive line. It is not hyperbole to say that replacing him will be virtually impossible. The Patriots will try with veteran Nick Leverett and they did sign veteran Jerome Carvin to the practice squad on Wednesday.Guard Layden Robinson could also get some snaps there as well. Mayo said he felt Leverett did a good job against San Francisco after Andrews got hurt.
“Yeah, I thought Nick did a decent job stepping in there this past game, and now that he’ll get more reps during practice, you expect him to continue to get better every single day. So, that’s our expectation.”
Leverett has played both center and guard in his career so the move is not that drastic for him but it is a big move nonetheless. The Patriots will need him to fill Andrews shoes and play well if they want to have any chance of turning their season around.
The importance of the center position cannot be overstated enough. The center makes all the line calls and identifies defenders and fronts. The communication with a veteran center is easy for a quarterback but it changes drastically when a center gets hurt or isn’t in the line up. Mayo acknowledged that on Wednesday.
“It’s very important. I always say, you want to see the same picture, and it starts with the center, and it starts with the quarterback. The center and the quarterback, I would say. So, it’s definitely important as far as being on the same page, ID’ing the mic points and all those things. So, with that being said, Nick, he can do it. He’s proved that he can do it, and hopefully, he continues to get better.”
Quarterback Jacoby Brissett echoed Mayo’s sentiment on the loss of Andrews and what he means to the team.
“I would say start with knowledge of the game. He runs the show out there. I’m just co-hosting when he’s out there. His toughness, I don’t think people understand how tough he is. The things he’s battled through his career. He’s happy-go-lucky to be out there, and has child-like energy. His play speaks for itself. When you see him playing when he’s healthy, he’s up there with the top guys in his league. A guy that has won a lot of football in his league, and has seen a lot of football. It’s obviously going to be tough to fill that void. We obviously have to, but like I said, it’s tough losing him.”
Brissett was asked how the Andrews injury and the move to Leverett will impact him directly.
“That’s what practice is for a lot of times. You get those reps with a lot of different guys. Obviously, playing in the game with Nick, having that rapport with him and building on that.”
Patriots coaches and players alike are saying the right things regading the Andrews injury but they know how much he means to this team. Replacing what he does on and off the field is virtually impossible. The team will feel his loss. The hope is Leverett can give them some of the production Andrews has through the years but that will not be easy. Leverett will have a steep learning curve as he and the offensive line try to adjust to life without their leader upfront.
It will be another challenge for an offensive line that has struggled with injuries and consistency thus far this season.