I have a general rule when it comes to athletes injuries.
One that applies to all sports.
It is based on a lifetime of careful observation.
With injuries, it’s the opposite.
Then I take the high estimate and add 50%.
And yet there are times when even adding 50% to an estimate doesn’t feel pessimistic enough.
Like when David Andrews left the field Sunday, it felt bad.
And whose return this year was a pleasant surprise.
As it turns out, that gut feeling was correct:
I’m assuming this is true.
Not just because Ian Rapoport has a solid track record of getting these things right.
And not even just due my own personal and mathematical approach to such matters.
But mainly because this is the kind of year the Pats seem to be having.
Really, the kind of half-decade they’re having.
It’s never just raining in Foxboro lately.
It’s Old Testament-level of pouring.
But it certainly seems like it will be.
For now, let’s just address what this means to the 2024 Patriots.
This is a team that can’t get anything accomplished offensively because the O-line is such a trash fire.
Prior to leaving nine plays into the game at San Francisco, Andrews had taken every snap on offense.
And likely will never take another.
It hasn’t always been smooth sailing.
Which is a lot by his standards.
Having a rotating collection of mostly ineffective linemates around him hasn’t helped at all.
or too consistent, when you realize it’s trending down through first four games.
Nick Leverett is the next man up.
He was a backup in Tampa Bay for two seasons.
Missed all of last year.
The snaps were all clean unless I’m forgetting something.
Member of the Two Ring Club.
The rock the O-line has been built around since 2015.
And likely never again.
Best of luck on the surgery.
But luck hasn’t been supply very much around these parts.
May it always be Shirtless O’Clock in David Andrews' world:
