(WEEI) -- Less than two weeks before the opening of the regular season, the Patriots are reportedly dealing with a potential major loss on the offensive line.
According to a report from The Athletic, New England center David Andrews has been hospitalized with blood clots in his lungs, an issue that could put his 2019 season in doubt. At the very least the report indicates that Andrews is expected to “miss a significant amount of time.”
A former undrafted free agent out of Georgia, Andrews has been a mainstay on the New England line from almost his arrival in Foxborough. Andrews started 11 games as a rookie, and has started every game he’s played in over the last three seasons (he missed two to injury in 2017) and all nine of the team’s postseason games in that span. He’s also been a team captain the last two seasons.
With Andrews sidelined – whether it be for a short time or the entire season – it puts fourth-year backup Ted Karras in the spotlight. Karras is a former sixth-round pick who has only started five games in his first three NFL seasons.
Veteran James Ferentz could also see his chances of making the Patriots roster increase as a possible depth option at center.