The Washington Commanders lost a key piece of their offense when guard Sam Cosmi went down with an ACL injury in the Division round in January. It guaranteed that he would miss the NFC Championship a week later and at least a portion of the 2025 season.
There's still no timetable for when Cosmi could return to the lineup, but all things are going as planned for the former second-round pick.
"Sam is doing excellent," said head coach Dan Quinn. "Like he has really put the work in. He's hitting all the markers that he's supposed to. We're not gonna miss one step along the process. But it starts with him, man, like just the, the everyday intensity that goes with it."
Cosmi, who underwent surgery on his knee after the team's loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the conference championship game, was seen jogging on the sideline during the team's final minicamp practice. Although there are still several steps for Cosmi to take before being ready to suit up again, it does align with Quinn's assertion that he is on track for a return at some point in the season.
"There's like a work mindset that comes outta that and...that's important because that's who Sam is, and he's off to a really strong start hitting all the markers he's supposed to up to now," Quinn added.
Prior to his injury, Cosmi was performing like one of the better guards in the league, particularly as a pass protector. Pro Football Focus gave him the best pass-blocking grade of his career, allowing just one sack and five quarterback hits. He also had an efficiency rating of 98.2 -- his best in four seasons as an NFL offensive lineman.
Cosmi's injury created a hole in the Commanders' offensive line that they attempted to fill with Trent Scott, who finished the Lions game and started against the Eagles. Scott played well in Cosmi's absence, but it's clear that Cosmi helps elevate the entire group when healthy.
As the Commanders' players were emptying their lockers, Cosmi said he would do "everything in my power" to be ready for the upcoming season.
"I'm just gonna attack this like I have everything in my whole entire career, my life," Cosmi said. "I said this whenever I got the extension: how much work you put in is what you're going to get out. That's what I'm going to do with this, and hopefully, I'll be back on the football field way sooner than expected."