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ASHBURN, Va. — With Lucas Patrick ruled out Wednesday because of a concussion, Nick Allegretti will start at center for the Washington Commanders on Thursday night against the New York Giants.
Patrick was placed in the concussion protocol during Sunday’s 20-13 loss to the Los Angeles Rams and did not practice all week, according to the team’s official game-status report. Commanders coach Dan Quinn confirmed earlier in the week that Allegretti would make the start.
Allegretti has dealt with multiple injuries since training camp. He met with reporters Tuesday at the team’s facility in Ashburn.
“I’m excited to feel good physically and get an opportunity to go out there,” Allegretti said.
Allegretti started each of Washington’s first three games this season, according to the team’s game logs. The Commanders signed Patrick on Sept. 16, and Allegretti has not started since Week 3.
Nick Allegretti Opens Up On Mental Health Coaching
The injuries, along with the stretch in and out of the lineup, led Allegretti to begin working with mental health coaches, he told reporters Tuesday, The Associated Press reported. He said he kept those struggles to himself for most of his career, and he still works on that side of things weekly. He also said men are often conditioned to keep quiet and handle problems on their own.
“I tried, for a long time, and I got to a point where it was too much for me,” Allegretti said.
Allegretti credited coaches and staff for helping him seek support. He said he wanted to discuss it publicly so others could do the same.
Allegretti signed with Washington in March 2024 after five seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, who drafted him in the seventh round in 2019 with the No. 216 overall pick. He won three Super Bowls in Kansas City.
Before this season, Allegretti worked mostly at guard. He started every game at left guard for Washington in 2024 and has 34 starts in 107 career games, according to the team. In 1,576 career pass-blocking snaps, he has allowed five sacks and 13 quarterback hits.
Washington Commanders Face New York Giants Pass Rush On A Short Week
Allegretti played center and both guard spots in college at Illinois, and he said Tuesday he has snapped every day since he was 14. Quinn said the change at center is manageable on a short week as long as the calls and communication are set at the start of the week, with Allegretti directing them.
The Giants blitz at the third-highest rate in the league, according to the Commanders. New York is 5-2-1 and leads the NFC East in the first season under Giants coach John Harbaugh. The Giants sacked Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Joe Milton III a season-high seven times in a 19-11 win Sunday.
Washington ranks last in the NFL in third-down conversion rate at 31.13% and went 3-of-12 on third down against the Rams. Quinn met with reporters Monday, a day after that loss.
“We’re not getting enough shots at it, and that’s not due just to handing it off more, that’s due to extending drives, and we’ve got to improve upon ourselves on third down,” Quinn said. “We just have to.”
The Giants rank 11th in third-down defense at 37.25% and 21st in run defense at 123.6 yards allowed per game. Washington enters at 2-5-1 and has allowed 20 sacks this season.
The Commanders are 32-57-3 all-time in New York and have won two straight there. They are 2-3 against the Giants on Thursday Night Football and are looking for their first Thursday night win since 2022.
The teams tied 27-27 on Oct. 11 at Northwest Stadium. Kickoff for the rematch is set for 7:15 p.m. CT Thursday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., with the game streaming on Prime Video.
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