Patriots To Place C David Andrews, T Caedan Wallace On IR

The Patriots’ offensive line has dealt with a number of injuries this year, and a pair of expected transactions related to those ailments will take place. Head coach Jerod Mayo said on Friday both center David Andrews and offensive tackle Caedan Wallace are headed to injured reserve.

The decision comes as no surprise in either case. Andrews is set to undergo shoulder surgery which will shut him down for the remainder of the campaign. That makes an IR designation a formality which will open up a roster spot allowing depth to be added. Missing Andrews will weaken a unit which already faced questions before and during the young season, however.

Wallace is dealing with an ankle injury, and today’s news means he will miss at least four games. Mayo did say (via Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald) he could return at some point this season, though. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network notes a recovery timeline of at least six weeks could be in store for Wallace. Regardless of how long the third-round rookie is out, his absence will leave New England short on tackle depth while attempting to find a suitable combination up front.

The Patriots are of course without Chukwuma Okorafor after he departed the team following Week 1. It remains to be seen when (or if) the former Steeler will be available later this season, and his ongoing absence has left the team without its projected left tackle starter. Wallace going down will leave that position particularly thin, especially since Vederian Lowe has missed the past two games.

Mayo said the Patriots do not have a firm plan in place with respect to filling their open roster spots. These moves will create extra openings for at least short-term additions, although Kendrick Bourne, Sione Takitaki and Marte Mapu all returned to practice earlier this week. Activating the members of that trio will use up roster spots, but it would still come as no surprise if New England brought in O-line depth over the coming days.