A cartridge assembly for use with a surgical instrument including a cartridge,a longitudinal channel, a first row of slots, and a second row of slots. Thecartridgehas a proximal portion and a distal portion. The longitudinal channel extendsbetweenthe proximal portion and the distal portion. The first row of slots isdisposed on a firstside of the longitudinal channel. At least one slot in the first row of slotsis empty.The second row of slots is disposed on a second side of the longitudinalchannel. Atleast one slot in the second row of slots has a staple disposed therein.