New England center David Andrews announced on Instagram he will be ready to play this season. “I’m excited that I’ll have the opportunity to play the game I love again.” Mark Zaleski/Associated Press

As the rest of the NFL added promising rookie talent to their rosters Thursday night during the first round of the draft, the Patriots welcomed back a three-time captain.

Patriots center David Andrews announced via Instagram he has been cleared to play football in 2020, after missing last season because of blood clots in his lungs. Andrews has started 57 of his 60 career regular-season games since he joined the Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2015. His return should ensure the Patriots field one of the league’s best offensive lines next season.

“I’m excited that I’ll have the opportunity to play the game I love again,” Andrews wrote.

In the same post, he later added: “When and whatever the NFL season looks like, I’m just thankful that I’ll be able to get back to competing with my teammates and coaches.”

After Andrews was placed on injured reserve last August, he remained with the team, assisting in offensive line meetings and attending practices. All offseason, the 27-year-old lineman was optimistic he would eventually return to football. As expected, the Patriots are happy to have him back.

“David has been a great asset to our program,” said the team’s director of player personnel, Nick Caserio, after the draft’s first round. “Nobody worked harder in his capacity and role, even last year when he wasn’t playing. The more players and people we have like David Andrews in our building, the better for the Patriots.”

Andrews’ symptoms first surfaced in training camp, when he dealt with chest pain, difficulty breathing and even coughed up blood. Andrews waited until after the team’s final preseason game to visit a doctor. His replacement, Ted Karras, left New England this offseason to sign a 1-year, free-agent deal with the Dolphins.