One of the biggest problems the Washington Commanders have faced this season is around quarterback protection. Losing starting left tackle Laremy Tunsil before the season even started was incredibly detrimental, but Brandon Coleman has done fairly well filling in for him, though obviously not at Tunsil’s level.

The bigger issue on the offensive line is at center. During the offseason, the Commanders released Tyler Biadasz, and he signed with the Los Angeles Chargers. Biadasz did suffer a season-ending ACL injury before the season, but that may not have happened had he stayed in Washington. Regardless, the Commanders don’t have him. Instead, they moved right guard Nick Allegretti to center.

On October 10, though, Dan Quinn announced that Lucas Patrick would be the starting center going forward. Patrick was signed on September 16 and performed better than Allegretti, who was still nursing a calf strain early in the season, so Patrick earned the starting role. Unfortunately, Patrick left Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams with an apparent concussion. He has been ruled out for Thursday’s game against the New York Giants, and Allegretti will replace him.

Rookie center Matt Gulbin replaced Patrick against the Rams on Sunday and struggled to fill the role effectively. So, it makes sense that veteran Allegretti is getting the nod. However, the issue here is why didn’t the Commanders turn to Allegretti on Sunday? Quinn said after the game it was because Allegretti had been practicing at guard. Didn’t he practice at center all offseason and early in the season?

Of course, if something happens to Allegretti, Washington will be forced to play Gulbin. Against a division rival with a stout pass rush, that could be a problem.

The Commanders and Giants kick off from MetLife Stadium this Thursday at 8:15 p.m. EDT.