FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — New England Patriots center David Andrews will undergo shoulder surgery and likely miss the rest of the season, coach Jerod Mayo announced Wednesday, adding that he is considering starting running back Antonio Gibson over Rhamondre Stevenson against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday after Stevenson's early-season fumbling issues.
Mayo cited Andrews' toughness and leadership as an eight-year captain while also noting how his communication is critical for the offensive line.
«It's definitely a huge loss,» Mayo said, adding that Andrews will remain around the team and possibly help in the future in a coaching-type role.
Andrews left Sunday's 30-13 loss to the San Francisco 49ers after the first series and was replaced 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 thought Nick did a decent job stepping in there. Now that he'll get more reps during practice, you expect him to continue to get better every day,» Mayo said.
The loss of Andrews is independent of the team's often-cited «developmental plan» for rookie quarterback Drake Maye, Mayo said. Andrews had considered playing through the injury, according to veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who wasn't surprised by that because of Andrews' toughness.
«It's tough when a guy like that goes down because you know he's not going down for anything minor,» Brissett said. «He means so much to this team.»
As for the possible move to Gibson as the starting running back, Mayo made it sound imminent after Stevenson has fumbled in each of the first four games.
«That's definitely under consideration. I've had multiple conversations with Rhamondre [about it],» Mayo
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