The Washington Commanders chose Sam Cosmi in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft to be their future at right tackle. Cosmi immediately stepped into the lineup and became a force as a run blocker. Unfortunately, Cosmi would miss eight games during his rookie season.
Cosmi was back at right tackle in 2022, but a thumb injury forced him to miss the next three games, leading veteran Cornelius Lucas to start at right tackle.
Cosmi returned in Week 8 against the Colts and only played special teams in his first two games back. However, over the last three weeks, Cosmi and Lucas have been splitting reps at right tackle. The Commanders love Cosmi and believe he has a bright future at tackle — or guard.
With right guard Trai Turner missing practice this week, the coaches moved Cosmi inside to right guard.
After Thursday’s practice, Turner was asked about Cosmi potentially playing right guard against the Giants in Week 13.
“I think as the season goes on and you have some guys in and out of the lineup on the offensive line; you want to get your best five guys out there,” Turner said. “So, being able to move Sam around a little bit, having him in there at guard, having that be an option of something that we can do, if that gets our best five out there, that’s something that we will be, be able to do. But we just want to be able to have that option, so we can get him, get him on the field cause a good player. Obviously, him and Big Luke [Cornelius Lucas] have been playing, kind of splitting time. Both [have] been playing pretty well, so we can get him out there together. That’d be something that’d be positive for us.”
Trai Turner hasn’t exactly been his former Pro Bowl self this season. He has improved in recent weeks, which is encouraging, but is he really the best option? In more potentially good news, Wes Schweitzer was designated to return from injured reserve this week. Schweitzer began the season as the starting right guard before his injury.
Cosmi is a dominant run blocker, meaning the Commanders could have a terrific right side of the offensive line with Cosmi and Lucas.
If Cosmi does play right guard Sunday, he could be auditioning to be Washington’s long-term right guard as many believe he has immense potential at guard.
