FOXBORO — The Patriots are moving forward without the centerpiece of their offensive line.

On Saturday, the Patriots placed David Andrews on the injured reserve due to a hand injury. According to multiple reports, the center broke his thumb a week ago during the game in Seattle. Andrews had surgery last week on the right hand, which is his snapping hand. The captain reportedly tried to snap with his left hand in practice, but it didn’t work.

Andrews will now spend at least the next three weeks on the injured reserve. With the bye week in Week 6, the Patriots could get their captain back in Week 7 against the San Francisco 49ers.

Andrews is essentially the glue that holds the offensive line together. He missed last season due to blood clots in his lungs, but the Patriots had a veteran backup in Ted Karras. He became a free agent after the season and signed with the Dolphins. It looked like the Patriots would turn to either James Ferentz or Hjalte Froholdt to replace Andrews. When the game against the Raiders started, however, it was Joe Thuney at center.

The Patriots moved their All-Pro left guard to the position even though he hasn’t played there since his days at North Carolina State. Thuney has snapped in training camp. The Patriots also moved rookie Michael Onwenu into the starting lineup at left guard. Onwenu had played right tackle and some blocking tight end this season, but played guard at Michigan.

Against the Raiders, the Patriots starting line was Isaiah Wynn (left tackle), Onwenu (left guard), Thuney (center), Shaq Mason (right guard) and Jermaine Eluemunor (right tackle).

Last week, multiple players spoke about Andrews’ role on and off the field.

“I think he’s been very, very important. Not with just his play but his leadership,m his professionalism,” Julian Edelman said about Andrews. “He’s a stud on and off the field. You never have to worry about anything. He’s always going to get the job done and he’s a big part of this team.”

It was an interesting move to push Thuney at center. There wasn’t a lot of experience otherwise.

Ferentz spent the entire offseason unsigned. He finally was signed to the Patriots practice squad on Sept. 16. On Saturday, the team signed him to the 53-man roster. The 31-year-old started his first two NFL games last season with the Patriots, but only one of those starts came at center. This summer, Froholdt looked like the Patriots top backup center in training camp. A 2019 fourth-round pick, he suffered an injury in his first preseason and spent that rookie year on the injured reserve. He still hasn’t played an offensive snap.

Roster moves coming?

Reinforcements could be on the way for the Patriots. Starting next week, all players who began the season on the injured reserve can return to practice and play in Week 4 against the Kansas City Chiefs.

That means the Patriots could get back running back Damien Harris, receiver/returner Gunner Olszewski, defensive tackle Beau Allen and offensive tackle Yodny Cajuste. The Pats don’t have to take any of those players off the IR, but the option is there.

Harris looked like the Patriots’ best running back in training camp so he could provide an offensive boost to the offense. Allen was signed this offseason to replace starting defensive tackle Danny Shelton, so his presence would help the run defense. Olszewski also had a strong summer and could help the Patriots both on offense and on special teams as a punt returner. Cajuste, a 2019 third-rounder, has yet to make his NFL debut, but would add depth to the offensive line.

For every player the Patriots take off the IR, they will need to open up a spot on the 53-man roster. As of Sunday, the Pats have one roster spot available.

Waiting game continues

It’s been a tough start for rookie Josh Uche, who has yet to make his NFL debut.

On Saturday, the Patriots placed the second-round pick on the injured reserve. Like Andrews, he’s eligible to return in Week 6 and play the following week against the 49ers.

Uche had a good summer. In training camp, he showed the type of versatility that suggested the team would use him at both inside and outside linebacker. At one point, it looked like he would start the season playing major minutes on defense.

Instead, Uche was a healthy scratch in Week 1 and then missed Week 2 with an ankle injury. It looked like the linebacker was on pace to make his NFL debut against the Raiders, but he suffered a foot injury in practice. Now, Uche will have to wait another four weeks (due to the bye) to play in his first NFL game and show the potential he flashed in August.

Roster moves

The Patriots inactive players were headlined by James White, who missed his second game in a row due to personal reasons. Also inactive were Anfernee Jennings, Myles Bryant, Dalton Keene, Jarrett Stidham and Korey Cunningham.

The Patriots used the NFL’s new rule to call up two players from their practice squad to their game-day roster. The team elevated undrafted rookie receiver Isaiah Zuber and defensive lineman Nick Thurman on Saturday evening. Both were active on Sunday.