New England Patriots starting center David Andrews was hospitalized with blood clots in his lungs and his 2019 season is in jeopardy, league sources confirm.
A team captain in his fifth NFL season, Andrews played 28 snaps in the team's preseason win over the Carolina Panthers on Thursday night but wasn't at practice the last two days.
Andrews' leadership and steadiness have been critical for the Patriots since he became a full-time starter in 2016, as he developed a rapport with quarterback Tom Brady. With Andrews at center, and up-and-coming Joe Thuney (4th year) and Shaq Mason (5th year) as starting guards, the interior of the line has been one of the strengths of the team.
Earlier Monday, Patriots offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia - while taking a wait-and-see approach on Andrews' condition -- said he believes the attrition the team has already experienced on the line with multiple retirements hasn't left the unit short-handed.
"We got what we got. The cavalry, they're not coming over the hill," he said. "But we have good players. I like the guys we got."
Andrews had not been fully healthy early in training camp, missing the team's first few practices before returning on a limited basis.
Patriots coach Bill Belichick previously noted that centers are in the middle of every play, so communication -- coupled with angles and gaining favorable position -- is a big part of the job description.
"David's good at all those things," Belichick said in 2017. "He has a lot of experience in his life playing center. I think a lot of those things come pretty naturally to him, the understanding of how far you have to go, how quickly you have to get there, how close in proximity is your teammate, where is the play designed to run, and so forth. He has a good instinct for the position."
