Commanders Turn to Nick Allegretti as Starting Center vs. Giants

The Washington Commanders have ended speculation about a key spot in the trenches ahead of Thursday night's meeting against the New York Giants.

Commanders head coach Dan Quinn confirmed that Nick Allegretti will return as the starting center. The news comes as Lucas Patrick exited the week nine loss against the Los Angeles Rams after entering concussion protocol and being ruled out in the second half. Quinn turned to rookie Matt Gulbin as Patrick's replacement in the second half, and when asked postgame, explained that Allegretti was practicing at guard with the staff opting to stick with what they have practiced. Less than 48 hours later, Allegretti returned to the position he hoped to lock down ahead of the start of the regular season.

Allegretti opened the regular season as the starting center before Patrick replaced him full-time beginning in the week three win against the Seattle Seahawks to open the Commanders' home slate in 2026. It marked the latest shuffle amid a struggling offensive line, who is fresh off allowing four sacks and six tackles for loss against a dominant Rams' defensive front. Yet with Allegretti's ongoing struggles at center and an up-and-down unit through the first half of the season, the road ahead doesn't get any easier against a Giants' front seven that features Kayvon Thibodeaux, Arvell Reese and Abdul Carter among others, much less on a short week.

Per Pro Football Focus, Allegretti has not been called for a penalty in 2026, though is responsible for one sack, three quarterback hits and nine total pressures allowed through three starts, including one at right guard, and eight appearances this season.

Dan Quinn previously noted he is optimistic about the status of both cornerback Amik Robertson and wide receiver Treylon Burks in week ten. Given the team did not practice on Monday, the Commanders projected Robertson as a full participant to open the week of practice while Burks was projected as a 'do not practice.'

Whether the latest shuffle in the trenches sparks any change offensively remains the biggest question ahead of the short week with the offensive line among the key storylines ahead of kickoff. After quarterback Jayden Daniels pointed to the upcoming divisional matchup as a 'must win' opportunity to salvage what is left of the regular season, all eyes will be on Allegretti, Brandon Coleman and the protection with the chance to avenge the deflating week five tie that flipped the outlook on the rest of 2026.