Patriots lose C David Andrews to surgery, could prompt RB to move

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — New England Patriots center David Andrews will undergo shoulder surgery and likely miss the remainder of the season, coach Jerod Mayo announced Wednesday, adding that he is considering starting running back Antonio Gibson on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins to start against Rhamondre Stevenson after Stevenson's fumble issues earlier in the season.

Mayo noted Andrews' toughness and leadership as an eight-year captain and also noted that his communication was crucial to the offensive line.

“It’s definitely a big loss,” Mayo said, adding that Andrews will remain with the team and possibly help in a coaching role in the future.

Andrews left Sunday's 30-13 loss to the San Francisco 49ers after the first series and was replaced by four-year veteran Nick Leverett. The Patriots signed Leverett, a former Tampa Bay Buccaneer, to a one-year contract as a free agent in March.

“I thought Nick did a good job getting in there. “Now that he’s getting more reps in practice, you can expect him to get better every day,” Mayo said.

The loss of Andrews is separate from the team's oft-cited “development plan” for rookie quarterback Drake Maye, Mayo said. According to veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett, Andrews had considered playing through the injury, but that didn't surprise him given Andrews' toughness.

“It's hard when a guy like that goes down because you know he's not going down over a little thing,” Brissett said. “He means so much to this team.”

As for the potential move to Gibson as the starting running back, Mayo made it look like it was imminent after Stevenson made errors in each of the first four games.

“That is definitely being considered. I’ve had several conversations with Rhamondre (about it),” Mayo said. “We can’t preach that ball security equals job security and still have him out there most of the time. I think it sends a stronger signal to the players that there are certain things we just can't do to win, especially with the team we have today.”

Stevenson, 6 feet, 227 pounds, has started the first four games for the Patriots (1-3). He played 159 snaps and rushed for 267 yards and two touchdowns on 65 carries (4.1 YPC). He also has nine receptions for 34 yards.

Gibson, 6 feet, 228 pounds, was the top backup, playing 71 snaps and totaling 29 carries for 155 yards and adding seven receptions for 82 yards.

Elsewhere, Mayo said the Patriots will have wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, linebacker Sione Takitaki and safety/linebacker Marte Mapu practice for the first time on Wednesday. The three players started the season on the physically unable to perform and injured reserve lists.