FOXBOROUGH — David Andrews was released from the hospital Monday night after the Patriots center was treated for blood clots in his lungs, a league source confirmed.
Andrews’s season could be in jeopardy because of the ailment, as first reported by the Athletic. Andrews has missed the Patriots’ last two practices after playing with the starters for most of the first half of New England’s preseason victory over the Panthers Thursday night.
A captain since 2017, Andrews has been a very durable player throughout his career and has started 46 of a possible 48 games over the last three seasons.
Andrews, one of the most popular Patriots in the locker room with both his teammates and the media, missed the first few practices of training camp this season but returned and quickly rounded into form.
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An undrafted free agent out of Georgia in 2015, he started the first 10 games of his rookie season — all wins — because incumbent center Bryan Stork started the season on injured reserve. Andrews quickly earned the respect and trust of Tom Brady and the coaching staff.
Andrews beat out Stork for the job in 2016 and has been a mainstay since.
The Patriots top backup interior lineman is Ted Karras, who probably will assume Andrew’s role. Karras started two games at center in 2017 when Andrews was out. Andrews missed a week of practice in the altitude of Colorado Springs after a win in Denver. The Patriots won both games Karras started, including a victory over the Raiders in Mexico City.
Karras has also played right guard – including two starts last season – and will be aided by playing between established guards Joe Thuney on the left and Shaq Mason on the right.
Jim McBride can be reached at james.mcbride@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @globejimmcbride.
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