There are several former Chicago Bears players looking for a new beginning in Week 1 and that includes former offensive guard Lucas Patrick. Patrick had left Chicago two years ago but was playing for his third different team in the past three seasons when he suited up as the starter at right guard for the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday afternoon.
While Patrick had to feel good about his new job, things got off to a horrible start when he suffered an injury early in the game against the Cleveland Browns, meaning his opportunity could be squandered before he could ever take advantage.
Former Bears Guard Lucas Patrick Injured in First Quarter vs. Browns
Patrick made the start but he didn’t last long, exiting the game in the second quarter with a calf injury. While the Bengals listed him as doubtful to return, it’s not the start that Patrick imagined and could have him ceding his job to backup Dalton Risner.
A serviceable lineman throughout his career, Patrick broke through as a starter making 33 starts in his 40 games over the past five seasons. A UDFA out of Duke, Patrick began his career with the Green Bay Packers before signing with the Bears before the 2022 campaign, making 20 starts and appearing in 23 games over the next two seasons.
Patrick went on to sign with the New Orleans Saints and performed well with a Pro Football Focus overall grade of 64.6 and a 4.4% pressure rate allowed in pass protection. His 66.3 run-blocking grade also was something that appealed to Cincinnati but didn’t stop them from signing Risner in the weeks leading up to this season.
Risner has a more credible record as a starter, making 81 starts and appearing in 87 games after he was taken by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2019 draft. He also spent the last two seasons with the Minnesota Vikings but has struggled to find a long-term job due to his struggles in the running game.
Perhaps Risner’s deficiency on the ground will open the door for Patrick to reclaim his starting position. But he’ll have to hope his calf injury isn’t as serious as it seems and he makes a quick return to the field.