The New England Patriots faced a setback in their offensive line depth with the placement of Jake Andrews on injured reserve. Andrews, a fourth-round pick out of Troy last year, had been on the physically unable to perform list during training camp. He was expected to be the backup center behind David Andrews but will now miss the season unless released with an injury settlement. Nick Leverett has stepped in as the top backup center in Andrews’ absence, with Atonio Mafi and undrafted rookie Charles Turner III also handling snapping duties.
To fill Andrews’ roster spot, the Patriots signed long snapper Tucker Addington, who took over snapping duties on Monday while Joe Cardona did conditioning work. Cardona, who is currently the third-highest paid long snapper in the NFL, had previously been placed on injured reserve in 2022. Addington, who was waived last year and had stints with the Jaguars and Commanders, will provide depth at the long snapper position for the Patriots.
The loss of Andrews and the addition of Addington highlight the challenges the Patriots are facing in maintaining their offensive line depth heading into the upcoming season. With uncertainties surrounding injuries and roster changes, the team will need to adjust and adapt to ensure they have the necessary support in place to protect their quarterbacks and maintain a strong offensive presence on the field.
Source
Photo credit www.bostonherald.com