SANTA CLARA — The Patriots lost three key players in the first half of their Week 4 matchup with the 49ers.
Center David Andrews left the game with a shoulder injury early, and rookie offensive tackle Caedan Wallace and safety Kyle Dugger both left with ankle injuries. All three players were ruled out after halftime. Andrews and Dugger are both captains.
Andrews and Dugger were both able to leave the field under their own power. Wallace was helped by teammates into the blue medical tent before being carted from the sideline to the locker room.
Veteran Nick Leverett, who struggled to snap the ball this summer, replaced Andrews at center.
Wallace was being used as a jumbo tight end and backup offensive tackle behind Demontrey Jacobs and Mike Onwenu with left tackle Vederian Lowe and left guard Michael Jordan out.
The injuries to Andrews and Wallace left guard Zach Thomas, who was claimed off waivers from the Rams in late August, as the team’s only backup offensive lineman.
Dugger was replaced by backup safety Jaylinn Hawkins. Hawkins’ third safety role was filled by undrafted rookie Dell Pettus.
