Patriots might suffer worst loss yet if latest injury rumor is true
The 2024 season has been rough for several teams across the NFL, and not just because of a disappointing record at the end of the first month. Injuries have plagued the league over the last four games and the Patriots are now one of the teams having to deal with potentially significant losses to important members of the roster.
Last week's game against the 49ers was their worst luck yet, having David Andrews, Kyle Dugger, and Ceadan Wallace leave mid-game with various injuries. They are just the latest batch who will be sidelined for the foreseeable future, which couldn't have come at a worse time.
After enduring the hardest schedule through the first four games, the Patriots are set to have a stretch of expected easier opponents that could give them a few more wins on the year. Their next game is in Foxboro against the Dolphins, who are down their starting and second-string quarterbacks and just suffered an embarrassing loss to the Titans on Monday Night Football.
Unfortunately, it's looking like New England will be down some important players, according to the latest rumors.
Wallace was seen leaving Levi's Stadium in a walking boot, presumably meaning he won't be available for the Week 5 matchup. Dugger is monitoring an ankle injury, the severity of which is not yet known. But the latest chatter regarding Andrews's injury is perhaps the worst of all.
David Andrews' potential absence is the last thing the Patriots need right now
It was clear almost immediately that the shoulder injury Andrews suffered against the 49ers this past Sunday wasn't good due to the quick announcement that he would not return to the game. It was not the news anyone was hoping for, mainly since the backup centers the Patriots worked with all summer struggled far too much to feel comfortable with them being used in a real game.
However, that might be what they have to do with, as the latest rumor regarding Andrews suggests his shoulder injury could be pretty bad. Mark Daniels of MassLive revealed the center is seeking second opinions and will decide what is best based on that.
On David Andrews, source says the center is getting multiple medical opinions on his shoulder injury before making a decision.
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) October 1, 2024
The veteran has fought through injuries before. The Patriots should find out relatively soon on what he’ll opt to do.
Considering the significant problem that the offensive line has been thus far, losing their best and most tenured player doesn't bode well for Jacoby Brissett to have a better immediate future.
The quarterback is already being pressured on nearly 50% of his dropbacks this season, and with the rest of the offensive line roster dealing with various injuries, it's a massive blow to potentially lose Andrews for any time at all.
Hopefully, the injury isn't serious for Andrews's sake and the team's sake and won't require him to be out for multiple weeks. We should know more about the severity soon, so fingers crossed it's not more bad news.
If it is, however, Jerod Mayo and Co. really need to consider looking at unsigned free agents to add to the roster or their season is going down the tubes faster than anyone expected.
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