The New England Patriots placed center David Andrews and rookie linebacker Josh Uche on injured reserve, the team announced Saturday.
Andrews, 28, reportedly underwent right thumb surgery on his snapping hand while Uche is nursing a foot injury.
Both players will sit out the Patriots’ games against the Las Vegas Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos before they are eligible to return.
Also on Saturday, the Patriots signed offensive lineman James Ferentz to the 53-man roster from the practice squad. They also elevated defensive lineman Nick Thurman and wide receiver Isaiah Zuber to the 53-man roster from the practice squad.
Andrews, a team captain, started the first two games this season after missing the entire 2019 season due to blood clots in his lungs. He has started 59 of 62 games played since entering the league with New England in 2015.
Uche, 22, was selected by the Patriots in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He was inactive for the season opener against Miami before missing last week’s game versus Seattle.
Ferentz, 31, has played in 38 NFL games, including two starts last season — one at guard, one at center — for New England. He saw action in 21 games with the Denver Broncos in 2015-16 and 17 with the Patriots in 2018-19.
Thurman, 25, made one tackle in his first NFL game last week versus the Seahawks. He was then shuffled back to the practice squad.
Zuber, 23, competed collegiately at Kansas State and Mississippi State. The undrafted Zuber will provide depth behind Julian Edelman, N’Keal Harry, Damiere Byrd and Jakobi Meyers.
–Field Level Media