David Andrews leaves the Patriots-49ers with a shoulder injury

FOXBORO – The Patriots offensive line has struggled with injuries all season. The team suffered its worst injury of the season on Sunday afternoon in San Francisco when starting center David Andrews left in the first quarter with a shoulder injury.

It was questionable whether Andrews would return after he left the field for the locker room after New England's first possession of the game, but was ruled out for the remainder of the contest after halftime.

Nick Leverett took over as longtime team captain and anchor of New England's offensive line. Leverett, who signed with the Patriots in March after spending his first three NFL seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, struggled at center in the preseason. This led to a handful of mishandled snaps and fumbles for the Patriots during their performance period.

New England's offensive line was already on the floor before the Week 4 game against the 49ers, starting with left tackle Vederian Lowe and guard Michael Jordan. At least Sidy Sow returned to his starting left-back spot on Sunday after missing the first three weeks of the season, replacing the injured Jordan.

But losing Andrews would be a devastating blow to New England's struggling offensive line. This will make things much more difficult on Sunday against San Francisco – with Pro Bowlers Nick Bosa and Fred Warner relying on Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett – and in the future if Andrews has to miss more games.

The Patriots suffered another injury to their offensive line in the second quarter when rookie tackle Caedan Wallace had to be carted off the field with an ankle injury. Due to an ankle injury he suffered in last week's loss to the Jets, it was questionable whether he would start in Week 4 and he was also sidelined after halftime.

Wallace was injured while serving as an extra blocker on a botched fourth-and-1 run by the New England offense.