A blood clot issue forced David Andrews to be hospitalized this week. Although he was released from the hospital shortly after, he will still have a long road back to football.
The Patriots placed Andrews on IR Saturday, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. This is not an IR-return move. The fifth-year center will miss the 2019 season.
Andrews has been New England’s primary center since 2015, going from UDFA to Tom Brady‘s snapper in four AFC championship games and three Super Bowls. The Pats extended him in 2017. Two seasons remain on that contract. Andrews allowed only four quarterback pressures last season, fewest among Patriots linemen. He graded as Pro Football Focus’ No. 7 center in 2018.
They will now move into the season with fourth-year man Ted Karras at the pivot. However, New England traded for several linemen this week. Karras, a 2016 Pats draft choice, played 174 snaps last season. This could be an evolving situation for the defending Super Bowl champions.
Get better soon big guy