Dan Quinn believes in Sam Cosmi’s recovery and Commanders fans should too

While the primary focus of Adam Peters' and Dan Quinn's pre-training camp presser centered on wide receiver Terry McLaurin's contract extension, there was other business at hand. And the head coach gave another promising prognosis regarding one of the team's franchise cornerstones on his long road to recovery.

Sam Cosmi's torn ACL is a significant blow to the Commanders' hopes of going one better and into the Super Bowl. The stud right guard quickly emerged as one of the league's best at the position and was paid handsomely for his efforts on a lucrative contract extension. It's a long road back for the Texas product, but everything seems to be going according to plan so far.

Commanders HC Dan Quinn with pride over Sam Cosmi's rehabilitation progress

Quinn was beaming with delight about Cosmi's progress throughout the offseason when speaking to the media. The head coach lauded the player for how hard he's been working to hit specific targets. There's been resolve and determination throughout his initial rehabilitation, which is exactly what the Commanders needed to see.

He's doing great. He's had a really strong offseason, and we're not going to miss one step of him along the way. So, the guys are doing their physics today (Tuesday), but he's really hitting all the markers that we'd set, that we'd hope to see, and that's a really cool thing.Dan Quinn

More information will be available after Cosmi's medical assessments. Going to the physically unable to perform list is almost guaranteed, but there is now a glimmer of hope that the veteran can feature at some stage during the 2025 campaign.

Although the early signs are immensely encouraging, there is an awful long way to go.

Cosmi must keep trending upward, and ACL tears aren't the devastating long-term complication they once were. Even so, it might be months before the interior force is fully healthy and ready to take his place back in the starting lineup.

Until then, the Commanders will pivot. Brandon Coleman is expected to move inside to left guard following the acquisition of five-time Pro Bowl blindside enforcer Laremy Tunsil. That leaves Nick Allegretti switching to the right to provide relief in Cosmi's absence.

That's not a bad contingency plan, although there is bound to be a drop-off when one considers Cosmi was teetering on the elite category before a cruel stroke of luck. But judging by Quinn's optimism, this might only be a stopgap to hold down the fort until later in the season if the same encouraging progress continues.

It's so far, so good. Nobody is getting carried away just yet, but Cosmi is on the right track.

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