How the Loss of David Andrews for the Season Impacts the Patriots
Four weeks into the 2024 NFL season, the New England Patriots find themselves in a challenging situation. After losing three consecutive games following an opening day win, their injury list continues to grow with notable names.
The latest setback comes with starting center David Andrews being ruled out for the season. Head coach Jerod Mayo confirmed on Wednesday that the 32-year-old will undergo surgery, sidelining him for the remainder of the year.
Losing Andrews is a significant blow to an already struggling team. But what are the full implications? Let’s break it down.
Offensive Line Suffers Its Biggest Setback Yet
The Patriots’ offensive line has been a patchwork unit through the first four games, with injuries and inconsistent performances forcing them to use four different combinations. While much of the instability had been limited to the left side, losing Andrews now destabilizes the center, a critical position.
Andrews’ leadership and experience on the field and in the locker room are irreplaceable, especially given the youth and inexperience surrounding him on the O-line. His absence amplifies the challenges the team faces.
“It’s tough,” head coach Jerod Mayo remarked. “Dave’s toughness, leadership, and communication across the front have been vital for us. Losing him is a huge loss.”
Nick Leverett: The Next Man Up — At Least for Now
With Andrews out, the “next man up” approach puts pressure on Nick Leverett, who will assume the starting role for now. While Leverett is a backup for a reason, he has shown that he can provide solid play, as demonstrated when he stepped in after Andrews’ early exit in last week’s game against the 49ers.
Though Leverett will be a downgrade, the Patriots hope he can hold the line and provide stability for the remainder of the season.
With David Andrews out for the foreseeable future, worth mentioning that backup Nick Leverett didn't allow a pressure vs the 49ers (though he was beaten a few times) and looked good as a run blocker
Leverett also rotated with Andrews at times during practices open to media pic.twitter.com/mySm81AHp2
— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) October 2, 2024
“I thought Nick did a decent job stepping in there this past game,” said Jerod Mayo. “Now that he’ll get more reps during practice, we expect him to continue improving every single day. That’s our goal.”
However, Leverett also has his own injury concerns. The free-agent pickup was limited in practice on Wednesday due to an ankle issue.
Two Captains Lost in Four Weeks
The Patriots began the season with six players voted as captains. Unfortunately, two of those players are now out for the year: Andrews, who won’t return, and linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley, who suffered a torn pectoral muscle in Week 2.
Both Andrews and Bentley will remain involved as much as possible during their recovery, but their absence will be felt. They are among the few remaining veterans from the Patriots’ dynasty days and are considered foundational players.
When Bentley was sidelined, his captaincy was transferred to safety Kyle Dugger. A similar shift is expected with Andrews; tight end Hunter Henry, who served as a captain in 2023, seems like a logical choice to fill the leadership void.
Quarterback Jacoby Brissett emphasized the importance of Andrews, stating, “He means so much to this team, not just on the field but off the field — his presence in the locker room and in the community. You wish you had 53 David Andrews.”
Challenges in Offensive Communication
Andrews’ influence on the Patriots’ offensive line went beyond his blocking and snapping duties. He was the essential glue that held the unit together, leveraging his experience to make crucial line calls — something Brissett relied on heavily.
“He kind of runs the show out there. I’m just co-hosting when he’s out there,” Brissett noted.
With Andrews out, both Brissett and Leverett will need to step up in making calls and facilitating communication along the line. This adjustment may prove to be more challenging for New England than any physical or technical drop-off from Andrews to Leverett.
Cap Space Gains in 2025
With Andrews missing the remaining 13 games of the 2024 season, the Patriots will see a boost in cap space for 2025. His absence means he won’t be in line to earn 13 active roster bonuses that were previously considered likely, which had been impacting New England’s salary cap this season.
According to salary cap expert Miguel Benzan, this will result in a credit worth $573,529 for the team, while Andrews’ cap number for 2025 will now be $6.676 million.
Opening Up a Roster Spot
Jerod Mayo announced that Andrews would soon be placed on injured reserve, creating an open spot on the Patriots’ 53-man roster. While adding offensive line depth might seem like a logical move, the team could take a different approach.
On Wednesday, three previously injured players returned to practice: wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (PUP), linebacker Sione Takitaki (PUP), and linebacker/safety Marte Mapu (IR). Although they currently remain on their respective reserve lists, they are eligible to return at any point within their 21-day window. An open roster spot could prove beneficial for those players as they work their way back.
