New England Patriots center David Andrews has missed practice the past two days, and now we know why. According to Jeff Howe of The Athletic, Andrews has been hospitalized with blood clots. Howe adds that, depending on the severity of the clots, Andrews’ season could be in jeopardy.
Howe: David Andrews Hospitalized With Blood Clots
As of this posting, nobody knows the exact severity of Andrews’ blood clots or the long-term health ramifications of his current state. However, blood clots are never good and Howe has confirmed that Andrews has been hospitalized. Earlier today, offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia said “we’ll find out” when asked if Andrews would be ok following his extended absence from practices.
David Andrews initially joined the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2015. Signing with the Patriots, Andrews earned the Week One starting job as a rookie after Brian Stork suffered a concussion. Andrews started the first seven games of the season before conceding the starting job to Stork in the second half of the season. However, thanks to injuries, Andrews ended up appearing in 14 games and making 11 starts as a rookie.
Andrews won the full-time starting job in 2016 and hasn’t looked back. Andrews started all 16 games in 2016, and his solid play helped New England record a 14-2 record and a Super Bowl championship. The Georgia product took his play to another level in 2017, starting all 16 games while playing like one of the best centers in the league. He repeated that effort in 2018, forming arguably the best interior offensive line in football alongside Shaq Mason and Joe Thuney.
If Andrews misses an extended period of time, New England will likely thrust Ted Karras into the starting rotation. Karras was a sixth-round pick in 2016 and has appeared in 45 games through his young career while recording five starts.
