There were very few negatives to take away from the Washington Commanders' 45-31 win over the Detroit Lions on Sunday night. In fact, there may have only been one.
That would be the fact that offensive guard Sam Cosmi, one of Washington's best linemen, tore his ACL.
Cosmi has been a mainstay on the Commanders' offensive line since he was drafted in the second round in 2021, and has consistently been a quality player even when the group has otherwise struggled.
Unfortunately, injuries have doomed him throughout his career. He missed eight games his rookie season and three more the next, and now he will be facing a long road ahead as he begins his recovery. Not only will Cosmi miss the remainder of Washington's playoff run, but he'll likely be out for a large chunk of the 2025 season as well.
This is a devastating blow for a Commanders team that will need all the help it can get against a loaded Philadelphia Eagles roster. The Eagles rank fifth in the NFL this season in forced turnover percentage, and taking advantage of a weak offensive line is the easiest way to force them, whether directly or indirectly.
Without Cosmi, the Eagles will surely make it their mission to disrupt QB Jayden Daniels' rhythm as often as possible. Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury may need to get creative with his play-calling, drawing up looks in which Daniels can get rid of the ball more quickly or use his legs to create plays.
Regardless, all the best wishes to Cosmi as he recovers from this setback. Torn ACLs are among the most heartbreaking injuries that NFL players suffer, especially when their team is in the midst of a Super Bowl push.