Overall, Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn gave a positive update on center Nick Allegretti while speaking to reporters Thursday. The veteran left Wednesday’s practice with calf tightness, but Quinn told the media the imagining on the center’s leg came back clean.
Still, Quinn didn’t provide an overall terrific injury update on Allegretti. That’s because the center hasn’t practiced much with his new teammates and will be out until at least Sunday.
“Yeah, for sure there’s some [concern],” admitted Quinn on Thursday. “Anytime you’re not getting a lot of reps for a whole training camp, that’s a big deal.
“Even for a player as experienced as Nick is, you want time on task. The silver lining is the imaging — no setback into that space. But just not quite there yet.”
Quinn added that Allegretti will not play Saturday in Week 2 of the preseason against the Detroit Lions. The interior offensive lineman will undergo further evaluation Sunday.
Allegretti is entering his third season with the Commanders this fall. Last season, he only started four games total at center and right guard.
The veteran entered this year’s training camp as the team’s projected starting center.
Dan Quinn Addresses Nick Allegretti Latest Absence
The Commanders head coach faced essentially the same question about Allegretti twice Thursday. Quinn mostly responded with the same answer but elaborated further with his second answer.
“When you’re not in there getting all the reps and the turns and especially at the line of scrimmage, that’s a big deal. With him not having as many [reps], that’s not ideal,” added Quinn. “This is an experienced player. He’s got a lot of games, starts and time under his belt. But, you do need the time on task.
“So once we get into Sunday, let’s hope that trajectory continues and we’re able to get him back out there.
Quinn concluded saying Allegretti is “a real competitor” and that he is “optimistic” that he will be able to put a full week together late in August.
It’s obviously getting late in training camp for Allegretti to get back and receive valuable repetitions. Quinn summarized it well with his “not ideal” phrase.
Allegretti has the NFL experience to adapt on the fly to center in the regular season. But it’s much more preferred he get practice time in his new position during the preseason.
Allegretti has taken 178 snaps at center during his NFL career. He has far more snaps at left guard (2,051) and more playing time at right guard (284 snaps).
Allegretti Latest Injury for Commanders
Quinn’s press conference Thursday seemed to mostly be the head coach updating the media on all of the team’s injured players.
In addition to Allegretti, running back Rachaad White and cornerback Trey Amos won’t play Saturday during the second week of the preseason. Quinn also confirmed defensive lineman Johnny Newton underwent surgery and will miss “significant time.”
SI on Commanders’ Philip Hughes reported Thursday the team has 15 players with injuries entering Saturday’s preseason matchup.
Injuries were a big storyline for the Commanders last season. It’s quickly becoming that again for the team and not just with Allegretti at center.
Commanders’ Dan Quinn Provides Concerning Update on Injured New Starter