Jaguars Defender ‘Torn’ Up Over Significant Injury To Patriots Veteran

David Andrews is a well-respected member of the New England Patriots locker room.

And the admiration for the veteran offensive lineman goes well beyond the walls at One Patriot Place. Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Joe Gaziano certainly holds Andrews in high regard.

Gaziano, a Scituate, Mass. native, got to know Andrews through the years when Gaziano returned to the Boston area in the offseason and worked out alongside the Patriots captain.

And even though the Jaguars defense will have an easier time with Andrews, who is out for the season with a shoulder injury, on the sideline, Gaziano would have loved to have seen him out on the field.

“Just as a veteran, I’m torn for him that he can’t be here in London playing in this game and the rest of the season because of his injury,” Gaziano told NESN.com. “He’s been a great advocate for me. … He’s just got so much wisdom. He’s walked the walk as well. He’s won Super Bowls and he’s a heckuva player and the tape shows that throughout his years.”

Andrews isn’t the only current Patriots player Gaziano befriended during those offseason workouts in his home state.

Gaziano also spoke highly of Patriots veteran defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. as the two help each other out with tools of the trade in the offseason since they play the same position.

“He’s just an all-around genuine person. He lights up a room when he walks in and he’s just a great guy to be around,” Gaziano said. “He’s strong as an ox, too, even if he doesn’t eat chicken breast. He’s a heckuva specimen in the weight room. So, it’s always a pleasure to get to workout with him. And we’ve done D-line drills in the past together, too, just to sharpen our tools in the offseason.”

Gaziano, who starred at Xaverian and turned in a standout college career at Northwestern before going undrafted in 2020, will put those skills to the test against the Patriots. The Jaguars elevated the 6-foot-4, 280-pound defensive end from the practice squad for the first time this season for Sunday’s matchup in London.

And if Gaziano can make a big play or two, he’ll certainly have something to talk about this offseason when he sees Andrews and Wise.