Florida State safety Nate Andrews suffers season-ending torn pectoral injury

In just the latest of a long line of injuries to the Florida State defense this season, Jimbo Fisher announced after Tuesday’s practice that senior defensive back Nate Andrews suffered a torn pectoral muscle in the victory over Miami which will require season-ending surgery.

Andrews, who missed the first two games of the season with a calf injury, has provided vital experience in the secondary since Derwin James went down with his torn meniscus against Charleston Southern.

Andrews, one of only two regular contributors on this year’s defense who was on the 2013 National Championship team, is currently in his senior season as it is his fourth year at FSU and he did not redshirt. However, Fisher did say that the team will pursue the possibility of a medical redshirt which would allow Andrews to remain eligible for the 2017 season.

Per the NCAA rules on medical redshirts, a player must suffer an injury in the first half of the season, which applies in Andrews’ case, and must not have competed in more than 30% of the season, a number which Andrews, who played in four games this year, is right around. Florida State is able to and will likely apply for a medical redshirt but will not know whether the request was approved until after the season has ended.

With Andrews out and James still on the mend, the Seminoles will turn to sophomores A.J. Westbrook and Calvin Brewton, new defensive back Ermon Lane, and true freshman Carlos Becker III to play alongside Trey Marshall until James is able to return, possibly by the end of the month.