The Patriots may be without one of their most dependable players for the 2019 season.
Starting center David Andrews reportedly has been hospitalized with a blood clot in his lungs and his season is in jeopardy. Since 2016, Andrews has missed just two games and those were due to illness following the Patriots practicing in altitude in Denver during the 2017 season.
So, how will the Patriots look to replace Andrews?
In 2017, Ted Karras filled in and the interior lineman has seen extended time at center this summer, especially at the beginning when Andrews was out for the first couple training sessions. Karras has been on the team since being drafted in 2016 and has been a solid backup doing everything the team needs. The 26-year-old certainly is a strong candidate to step in and assume the starting center role.
Besides Karras, other realistic options on the roster include James Ferentz and rookie Hjalte Froholdt.
Both players have struggled this preseason, but in Ferentz's case he's a much better center and has spent the majority of time at guard. Froholdt is more of a developmental player and will only get better being coached by Dante Scarnecchia. Froholdt was going to make the roster regardless, but the Andrews news may benefit Ferentz the most of any player already on the roster.
It's worth noting the Patriots could keep Andrews on the initial 53-man roster before putting him on injured reserve, which would allow him to return after Week 8. If he's placed on IR before the initial 53-man roster is put out then he cannot return at all this season.
There's also a very good chance the Patriots will be looking at other rosters to potentially trade for a center, or add one who is released over the next week.
Andrews has been a team captain for the last two years and is one of the most respected players on the entire roster. His absence will be felt both on and off the field and he really will be a difficult player to replace.
