As the Patriots offense looks to rebound from a shaky performance against the Chicago Bears on Monday night, it looks like they will have to do so without a key contributor. According to
Source: Not that there was much doubt, but #Patriots C David Andrews is in concussion protocol after taking an illegal blindside block that got Bears DT Mike Pennel ejected from last night's game.
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) October 25, 2022?s=20&t=ooh6OzSxRp5PU5xKWA20pA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PFF’s Doug Kyed, center and team captain David Andrews is now in the NFL’s concussion protocol as of Tuesday afternoon.
New England has a short week before their Week 8 matchup with the Jets.Andrews, 30, left Monday night’s game in the fourth quarter after being on the wrong end of an illegal blindside block from Bears defensive tackle and former Patriot Mike Pennel. Pennel was ejected from the game immediately following the play.
https://twitter.com/IanSteeleABC6/status/1584740750180626432?s=20&t=ZPp9qqu9vwspy_-5XjU2IA
Here's the hit that knocked David Andrews out of last night's game.
— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) October 25, 2022
Mike Pennel was penalized and ejected. Andrews was evaluated for a head injury. Puts his availability for Sunday in question with a short week. pic.twitter.com/NgxHAOHhWlAfter the play, Andrews remained face down on the field for about a minute. He eventually sat up, then slowly walked off the field with members of the team’s training staff.
Bears coach Matt Eberflus was asked about the hit following last night’s game. “Totally in the wrong. He [Pennel] should not do that,” he said to reporters. “And I told him right afterward. And that’s not what we teach. We don’t teach that. It’s not good football.”
“I think Coach Eberflus probably put it well, so I don’t have anything to add to that,” Bill Belichick noted when asked about the play Tuesday morning.
Currently in his eighth NFL season, Andrews has been the Patriots’ starting center since midway through his rookie year in 2015. He sat out of the entire 2019 season due to the discovery of a a pulmonary embolism, but besides that has missed just eight games in six years.
If Andrews misses time, veteran James Ferentz would likely replace him in the starting lineup. Ferentz was the one who finished the game at center for the Patriots Monday night. Overall, he’s played in 29 games making six starts for the Patriots over the last five seasons. This year, he’s appeared in two games in a reserve role. The Patriots also have a center on their practice squad in UDFA Kody Russey.
Andrews’ injury will get closer attention than usual given the NFL’s increased focus on concussion protocol following Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffering a pair of consecutive concussions earlier this year. Earlier this month, the league announced updates to the protocol.
Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at [email protected].
