Commanders Sign OL Lucas Patrick

The 33-year-old Patrick previously signed with the NFC East rival Giants in April, but he dealt with a knee injury during training camp and did not survive roster cuts on Aug. 30. Also a former Packer, Bear, Saint and Bengal, Patrick is now on organization No. 6.

Patrick, who entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2016, has made 113 appearances and 65 starts. The former Duke Blue Devil has accrued significant experience at center and both guard spots.

Patrick was almost exclusively a starter with multiple teams from 2020-24, and he went into last season as the Bengals’ No. 1 right guard. However, after suffering a calf injury in Week 1 and landing on injured reserve, he lost his job to Dalton Risner. Patrick came back to play in five more games, but he did not start in any of them.

Washington had Patrick on its radar since the Giants released him, according to John Keim of ESPN. By waiting until after Week 1 to sign him, the Commanders will not have to give him any guaranteed money. Now the Commanders’ most experienced interior lineman, he will provide depth behind center Nick Allegretti and guards Chris Paul and Sam Cosmi.

Allegretti has been in the league since 2019, but this is his first season as a center. The Commanders did not address the position in a meaningful way after releasing previous starter Tyler Biadasz in the offseason, leaving Allegretti and Julian Good-Jones to vie for the role. Good-Jones is now on the Commanders’ practice squad, while Patrick will presumably overtake sixth-round rookie Matt Gulbin as their primary backup.