Commanders’ Sam Cosmi tore ACL, out for rest of playoffs

Washington Commanders right guard Sam Cosmi will miss the remainder of the playoffs after tearing his right anterior cruciate ligament in Saturday’s divisional round victory over the Detroit Lions, the NFL said Sunday. coach Dan Quinn.

Cosmi has been a vital part of the Commanders offensive line for several years and has started every game this season. He will eventually need surgery to repair his knee. Veteran Trent Scott replaced him in Saturday’s 45-31 win over the Lions.

Washington (14-5) faces the winner of the Philadelphia Eagles-Los Angeles Rams game in the NFC Championship Game on Jan. 26.

Cosmi was injured on running back Brian Robinson Jr.’s 2-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.

“Really disappointed in Sam,” Quinn said after the match, before the extent of his injury was announced. “It’s a big loss for us.”

Washington drafted Cosmi in the second round of the 2021 draft. He started at right tackle for two seasons before moving to guard for the 2023 season. His ability to block in space on screens and shoot actions, among other aspects of his game, has been essential for Washington.

Scott primarily played tackle for Washington this season, but Quinn said they sometimes used him as a guard on their scout team just to give him more reps at that position.

Scott started 23 games during his seven-year career. In 2021 and 2022, Scott played in 22 games as a guard for Carolina and then Pittsburgh. Quinn said they will look at the matchups to see who replaces Cosmi next weekend, but he said Scott “did a really good job.”

The Commanders can also opt for veteran Michael Deiter, who has started 35 games in his six-year career at guard and center. He started two games at center this season.