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 working 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 important for the offensive line.
“It is undoubtedly an enormous loss,” Mayo stated, including that Andrews will stay across the workforce and probably assist sooner or later in a coaching-type position.
Editor’s Picks
Andrews left Sunday’s 30-13 loss to the San Francisco 49ers after the primary sequence 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 assumed Nick did an honest job stepping in there. Now that he’ll get extra reps throughout observe, you anticipate him to proceed to get higher on daily basis,” Mayo stated.
The lack of Andrews is unbiased of the workforce’s often-cited “developmental plan” for rookie quarterback Drake Maye, Mayo stated. Andrews had thought of 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 powerful when a man like that goes down as a result of he isn’t happening for something minor,” Brissett stated. “He means a lot to this workforce.”
As for the potential transfer to Gibson because the beginning working again, Mayo made it sound imminent after Stevenson has fumbled in every of the primary 4 video games.
“That is undoubtedly 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 believe it sends a stronger message to the gamers that there are specific issues that we simply cannot do to win, particularly with the workforce now we have in the present day.”
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 powerful 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 provide you with the ball each time. It is my job to try this and I have never been doing it effectively.”
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 large receiver Kendrick Bourne, linebacker Sione Takitaki and security/linebacker Marte Mapu working towards for the primary time Wednesday. The three gamers started the season on the bodily unable to carry out and injured reserve lists.
