For two years, the Washington Commanders weren’t sure what they had in offensive lineman Sam Cosmi. After the 2022 season, Cosmi’s second in the NFL, then-head coach Ron Rivera told Cosmi he was moving him inside to guard. Just like that, everything clicked for the former Texas Longhorn.
After an excellent 2023 season, Rivera and his staff were fired, meaning Cosmi would get a new GM, coach, offensive coordinator, and position coach. This all came at a worrisome time for Cosmi, who was about to enter the final season of his rookie contract with new bosses everywhere.
It didn’t take long for new GM Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn to know they wanted Cosmi around for a long time. Just before last season began, the Commanders signed Cosmi to a new four-year, $74 million contract, making him one of the NFL’s highest-paid guards.
Cosmi anchored a surprisingly good offensive line last season. Unfortunately, in Washington’s NFC divisional round upset win over the Detroit Lions, Cosmi tore his ACL, ending his season. An injury that late in the season likely meant Cosmi would miss some time the following season.
In speaking to the media this week, Quinn offered a positive injury update on Cosmi.
“I know that with Sam, he’s hitting all the benchmarks, but when does that get there? I don’t know. I’m not there yet to knowing, we’re not going to miss one step with him.”
Quinn didn’t offer a timetable on Cosmi’s return, nor should he. But, according to John Keim of ESPN, Cosmi was on the field at minicamp this week doing some side work with Washington’s trainers.
One positive sign for the Commanders this spring is right guard Sam Cosmi’s recovery from a torn ACL suffered in the divisional playoff victory vs. Detroit. Cosmi has been on the field working with athletic trainers, performing agility work in the back of the end zone or doing light 40-yard jogs — as he did Thursday while his teammates practiced on the field. There’s still no timetable for his return, but the Commanders are optimistic about Cosmi’s recovery.
Again, this is all good news. This means Cosmi is likely ahead of schedule and will play in 2025, but it’s important to remember that a Week 1 return remains unlikely.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Dan Quinn gives his injury update on Sam Cosmi.
