A surgical instrument includes an end effector extending along a jaw centerline. A staple cartridge is received in the end effector. The staple cartridge includes deck, staples, a wedge sled, and a driver assembly. The staples are positioned in respective openings formed through the deck. The wedge sled is slidable through the staple cartridge. The driver assembly has a first driver and a second driver. The first driver receives a first staple of the plurality of staples. The second driver receives a second staple of the plurality of staples. The driver assembly is configured to be engaged by the wedge sled sliding toward the distal sled position and thereby be forced toward a first jaw of the end effector, thereby forcing the first and second staples toward an anvil of the first jaw for formation in tissue. The driver assembly is positioned along the centerline.
