Losing an experienced player due to injuries is always the most devastating blow for a team. The Patriots experienced a similar situation last year when David Andrews injured his shoulder. After just four games, the Center suffered a torn rotator cuff, which ended his season. And this was just the start of the disaster for him. Shockingly, after that catastrophic season, the Patriots chose to end Andrews’ 10-year tenure in March 2025. It was obviously difficult for him, but now that he is out, the man is sharing some of the shocking games that he was forced to play.
One of these incidents involved being forced to train despite an injury. What?! Well, I get how it sounds, but it is exactly the situation. If you recall, David Andrews had a thumb injury in Week 2 of the 2020 season in a game against the Seattle Seahawks. The thumb injury necessitated surgery, and he was initially placed on Injury Reserve. The man missed three games, but when he returned to the field, he spent the rest of the season in excruciating pain.
Surprisingly, when the Centre returned from surgery, Bill Belichick did not believe that the injury would keep the Centre out. Rather, the HC instructed David Andrews to play with his left hand and asked him to join the team on the field just the day after his surgery.
David Andrews revealing details on some long time Patriots mysteries.
Fantastic segment. Worth the listen.
: @985TheSportsHub , @ZoandBertrand
— Savage (@SavageSports_) March 22, 2025
The Centre revealed all these things on 98.5 FM and explained how he was told to go home initially. The man even packed up and when he was leaving suddenly the HC called him. Belichick started to talk to him about how he felt and what’s he going to do at home. While everything had been going well up until this point, the scenario abruptly changed.
David Andrews continued, “And he was like, ‘You think you can go out to practice today?’ I was like ‘Yeah I can go out there and stand around watch’. And he goes’ Well, what about just going out there full pass and snapping a little bit’ and I was like ‘With my left hand?’. And he was like ‘Yeah, let’s do it let’s see what happens.’ And I was like ‘Bill I have got it’s not even a cast it’s basic bandage like it’s not easy to hide.’ And he’s like, ‘Let’s just go do it’”
The Centre was so shocked by this that he was confused when he returned home. The man was thinking about what had happened to him. This shows Belichick’s strictness which BTW was also responsible for the team’s success during that era. For the time being, all eyes are on David Andrews and what he can do to better his future.
Can David Andrews contemplate retiring following his release?
When a major player sustains a significant injury, retirement concerns surround him immediately. Andrews has been going through the same thing. The enormous injury he sustained typically takes 9 months to heal from. But, this time frame is also determined by the player’s rehabilitation process. And for Andrews so far, the only assumptions are that he will return between April and July. But there’s another twist in his story.
When the Patriots released the Centre, they noted the reason for release as a failed physical designation. This shows that Andrews may not be on track for the injury to be healed. Maybe this is why the team was forced to release such an experienced player and a superb captain like him. The Center has been asked multiple times about his retirement or return, but he has never said anything. Rather, Andrews indicated that he is not making any decisions right now.
Andrews wants to take time with his body and think about this decision carefully, “We don’t have any plans to make any drastic moves right now, just depending on different situations.” For the time being, the man is focused on his recovery and spending quality time with his family. Only time will reveal what the Center will be up to for the 2025 season. And if he decides to return, any team would be happy to have an experienced player like him on board.
The post Forced to Practice With Broken Thumb, David Andrews Reveals Bill Belichick’s Harsh Leadership That Made Patriots Great appeared first on EssentiallySports.
