Patriots: David Andrews returns to practice with thick thumb wrap
By Adam Weinrib
Patriots center David Andrews was back on Thursday, clearly ready to battle through a thumb injury.
Outside of perhaps Cam Newton, Patriots center David Andrews is the comeback story of 2020 thus far in New England, a fact acknowledged by his QB, who went out of his way to give Andrews a touchdown celebration all his own in the team’s triumphant Week 1.
Regrettably, though it’s nothing compared to the adversity he dealt with last season, Andrews did find himself nicked up after Week 2, appearing on the injury report this week.
But if you thought a little thumb/wrist issue was going to keep Andrews from powerfully blocking against the upstart Las Vegas Raiders in Week 3, then think again.
Andrews showed up at practice Thursday wearing a thick-as-hell thumb brace that should, in all honesty, only enhance his capabilities as a blocker. After all, who wants to mess with an angry Andrews with a built-in club on his hand?
C David Andrews has returned to Patriots practice. RB James White and practice squad TE Jake Burt are the only absences.
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) September 24, 2020
Andrews has his right thumb heavily wrapped. pic.twitter.com/BJWEzCUj4O
We’re ready to go right now.
Theoretically, Andrews still hasn’t gotten the all-clear for Sunday’s action, and the Patriots certainly have a few alternatives in mind if Bill Belichick opts against testing out the compromised thumb.
While media was still allowed to view Thursday’s workout, Andrews went through a few basic drills, and very little was learned about his status, in reality. But we love seeing No. 60 fighting out there for every last inch, clearly not 100%.
A black wrap/cast covers starting center David Andrews’ right thumb up to the wrist. Andrews (No. 60) was absent from Wednesday’s practice due to a hand injury. He went through drills in the media-access portion of practice Thursday. pic.twitter.com/PNP6osC52K
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) September 24, 2020
No, we’re not talking a Jason Pierre-Paul-level club here, but that thing still looks pretty wicked. And whatever it takes to get Andrews in the starting lineup, we endorse it.
In addition to the bruising center, RB James White’s status remains up in the air this week, too, though for far more tragic reasons. While the Pats could use White’s shiftiness back whenever he’s ready, we refuse to question his absence for as long as he requires it to be.
Surely, we’ll have more updates here, but not likely until kickoff approaches. Got to maintain that classic air of secrecy, after all.
