David Andrews says he’s ‘ready to get back’ after blood clots

His return would be enormous for the Patriots.

New England Patriots center David Andrews delivered some optimistic news about his health in an interview with 247 Sports. The team’s center missed all of 2019 with blood clots, but he said he is “ready to get back.”

“I had been dealing with some chest pains and troubling breathing, started coughing blood the first day we reported to training camp actually,” he said in a recent interview. “All of this was partly my fault, just being dumb and pushing through it. I thought I was sick and I really did not feel like myself. It was not like I was having a bad camp. I just was not having a consistent camp.”

Andrews went on injured reserve before the season started, and Ted Karras stepped in to replace him for the season. New England’s run game seemed to suffer without Andrews, with the Patriots averaging 3.8 yards per carry in 2019. It was a stark heel-turn after the team used Sony Michel and their group attack to win a Super Bowl in the previous season.

“The Patriots were so good to me, It was really a frustrating year because athletes want to compete,” he said. “I was limited on what I could do but I really focused on rebuilding my body and trying to turn a negative into a positive. I got to be a part of the team, got to watch film with the guys. I got to lead a pass rushing meeting each week. I was still a captain and got to attend those meetings. I got to spend more time with my wife. It has been a different year.”

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