Commanders lose right guard Sam Cosmi to torn ACL in devastating blow after shock win over Detroit Lions
The news wasn't all good for the Washington Commanders following Saturday's upset of the top-seeded Detroit Lions in the Divisional Round of the NFC playoffs.
Right guard Sam Cosmi suffered a knee injury in the game, and it has now emerged that his season is over with a torn ACL.
Confirming the news Sunday, Commanders coach Dan Quinn said: 'That´s a big deal, the ballplayer and the man.'
The injury occurred about five minutes into the second quarter when Detroit defender Za'Darius Smith inadvertently hit the back of Cosmi's legs, with Cosmi's right leg pinned under Smith's body. Cosmi hobbled off the field with trainers.
He was replaced by veteran backup Trent Scott, who is playing with his fourth team in seven NFL seasons.
The 25-year-old was picked as a right tackle by Washington in the second round (51st overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft. He has played in 57 regular-season games (49 starts) for Washington, starting all 17 games and playing 100 percent of the team's snaps each of the past two seasons, primarily at right guard.
Sam Cosmi reacts as he is carted off the field after being injured during the second quarter
Sam Cosmi is pictured a month earlier prior to a Commanders game against the Saints
The injury occurred about five minutes into the second quarter when Detroit defender Za'Darius Smith inadvertently hit the back of Cosmi's legs
He had his breakout season in 2023 and is now generally considered among the best players in the NFL at his position. As a result, the team signed him to a four-year, $74 million extension before the 2024 season began.
The Commanders will meet the winner of Sunday's contest between the Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Rams for the NFC championship next weekend.
Commanders rookie sensation Jayden Daniels threw for two touchdowns and fellow rookie Mike Sainristil had two interceptions – dazzling performances that helped Washington beat Detroit 45-31 on Saturday night to reach the NFC championship game for the first time in 33 years.
'It's a surreal moment,' Daniels said.
The sixth-seeded Commanders (14-5) were nearly double-digit underdogs against the Super Bowl-favorite Lions (15-3) and overcame doubts as they did all season with a new quarterback, coach and general manager.
'I always believed that we could achieve more than people give us credit for,' Daniels said.
Detroit, the NFC's top team for the first time with a franchise-record 15 wins, doomed its chances of living up to expectations by turning the ball over five times.
'This isn't the time to talk about what a great year we had and all the wins,' Lions coach Dan Campbell said. 'We're here to get to the show and we fell short. That hurts.'
Sainristil, who won a national title at Michigan last season, picked off his second pass on a trick play with receiver Jameson Williams throwing into coverage off a reverse in the fourth quarter.
'Mike is somebody that he's hard to fool,' Commanders coach Dan Quinn said.
