David Andrews' injury update doesn't bode well for the Patriots

The New England Patriots' biggest roster weakness could be getting even weaker.

Starting center David Andrews is seeking “multiple medical evaluations” on the shoulder injury he suffered in Sunday's loss to the San Francisco 49ers, MassLive's Mark Daniels reported Tuesday.

Daniels also (rather ominously) noted that Andrews is “trying to make the best decision for both the moment and the future,” adding that the Patriots should “figure out relatively soon” what the veteran center wants to do.

Considering there was speculation that Andrews might retire last offseason before signing a new contract with New England, it's not unreasonable to assume that the 32-year-old is considering his future as a player, especially if he finds out that he needs surgery.

UPDATE (Wednesday October 2nd): According to Daniels, Andrews will need shoulder surgery. If Andrews decides to undergo surgery, his 2024 season will be over, but he is also considering whether to play through the injury, according to Daniels.

Essentially, Andrew's decision comes down to when to have surgery. If he plays and things get worse, it could cost him 2025. If he has to undergo the procedure now, it will cost him the rest of 2024.

A difficult decision

— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) October 2, 2024

If Andrews were to miss any amount of time, it would still be a significant setback for the Patriots' offense.

New England is dealing with a number of injuries to its offensive line, with tackles Vederian Lowe and Caedan Wallace and guard Michael Jordan all dealing with discomfort. Week 1 starting left tackle Chukwuma Okorafor left the team after just two games, and the Patriots have started four different left tackles in four games.

Still, center might be the O-line position with the least depth.

Behind Andrews, the only other center on the active roster is Nick Leverett, who replaced the veteran on Sunday against the 49ers. While Leverett has 20 NFL games under his belt, he looked shaky at center in the preseason. Second-year center Jake Andrews, the Patriots' fourth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, is on injured reserve because of a season-ending torn meniscus.

That puts a lot of pressure on Leverett to step up if David Andrews misses extended playing time. And beyond the on-field component, losing a team captain like Andrews — who is the Patriots' longest-tenured player and one of only three remaining players from the 2018 Super Bowl team — would be another tough blow to a team that does Matthew Judon ( Trade), Christian Barmore (blood clot) and Ja'Whaun Bentley (injury) have already lost this season.

No matter who starts at center in Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins, starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett will have a lot of work to do working behind an offensive line that is allowing the highest pressure rate in the NFL (47.4 percent) through four games.