FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — New England Patriots heart David Andrews will endure shoulder surgical procedure and sure miss the remainder of the season, coach Jerod Mayo introduced Wednesday, including that he’s contemplating beginning operating again Antonio Gibson over Rhamondre Stevenson towards the Miami Dolphins on Sunday after Stevenson’s early-season fumbling points.
Mayo cited Andrews’ toughness and management as an eight-year captain whereas additionally noting how his communication is vital for the offensive line.
“It is positively an enormous loss,” Mayo stated, including that Andrews will stay across the staff and presumably assist sooner or later in a coaching-type position.
Andrews left Sunday’s 30-13 loss to the San Francisco 49ers after the primary collection and was changed by four-year veteran Nick Leverett. The Patriots had signed Leverett, a former Tampa Bay Buccaneer, to a one-year contract as a free agent in March.
“I believed Nick did a good job stepping in there. Now that he’ll get extra reps throughout follow, you count on him to proceed to get higher on daily basis,” Mayo stated.
The lack of Andrews is unbiased of the staff’s often-cited “developmental plan” for rookie quarterback Drake Maye, Mayo stated. Andrews had thought-about taking part in by way of the damage, in response to veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who wasn’t stunned by that due to Andrews’ toughness.
“It is robust when a man like that goes down as a result of you understand he isn’t happening for something minor,” Brissett stated. “He means a lot to this staff.”
As for the attainable transfer to Gibson because the beginning operating again, Mayo made it sound imminent after Stevenson has fumbled in every of the primary 4 video games.
“That is positively into consideration. I’ve had a number of conversations with Rhamondre [about it],” Mayo stated. “We will not preach ball safety is job safety and nonetheless have him on the market the vast majority of the time. I feel it sends a stronger message to the gamers that there are particular issues that we simply cannot do to win, particularly with the staff we’ve got as we speak.”
Stevenson, 6 toes and 227 kilos, has began the primary 4 video games for the Patriots (1-3). He has performed 159 snaps and rushed for 267 yards and two touchdowns on 65 carries (4.1 YPC). He additionally has 9 receptions for 34 yards.
“I am tremendous robust on myself. I am extra upset in myself than anybody might ever be,” he stated Wednesday. “It is quite simple — I simply have to carry on to the ball and have that mentality to give you the ball each time. It is my job to try this and I have never been doing it properly.”
Gibson, 6 toes and 228 kilos, has been the highest backup, taking part in 71 snaps and totaling 29 carries for 155 yards whereas including seven receptions for 82 yards.
Elsewhere, Mayo stated the Patriots can have vast receiver Kendrick Bourne, linebacker Sione Takitaki and security/linebacker Marte Mapu training for the primary time Wednesday. The three gamers started the season on the bodily unable to carry out and injured reserve lists.