Patriots center David Andrews is facing season-ending shoulder surgery and weighing whether to undergo surgery soon or play though injury and risk his availability for the 2025 season, sources told the Herald.

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Andrews is not expected to make an imminent decision and is unlikely to play Sunday versus Miami, per source. The 31-year-old center left the first quarter of Sunday’s 30-13 loss at San Francisco and was later ruled out.

Backup guard/center Nick Leverett replaced Andrews and projects to be the Patriots’ new starting center if Andrews misses significant time. Leverett allowed a single pressure in pass protection Sunday against the 49ers.

Andrews is in his 10th NFL season and eighth as a team captain. He is regarded as one of the toughest players in the Patriots’ locker room and chose to return this year after briefly contemplating retirement last offseason. Andrews received a 1-year contract extension in the spring.

He intends to play in 2025 with hopes of continuing to rebuild the Patriots. Andrews won Super Bowls in two of his first four years (2016 and 2018) and is one of five players left in the locker room with a ring, including quarterback Jacoby Brissett, cornerback Jonathan Jones, long snapper Joe Cardona and defensive lineman Deatrich Wise. Brissett, Cardona and Wise are also captains.