Dan Quinn pours cold water on Ben Sinnott breakout buzz with one quote

With John Bates likely to miss the Washington Commanders' home game against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 3, most fans thought this was an opportunity for 2024 second-round pick Ben Sinnott to generate more involvement. However, that might not be the case.

Bates is among the league's best blocking tight ends. He's a commanding force chipping edge rushers in the trenches or plowing the road at the second level. He's currently nursing a groin injury, but head coach Dan Quinn didn't sound too enthusiastic regarding his involvement.

Contingency plans must be formed. Sinnott seemed to be the most obvious candidate to fill the void, but Quinn's comments about the possible plan if Bates cannot go weren't exactly the most encouraging for the Kansas State product.

Commanders pump the brakes on Ben Sinnott stepping into John Bates' role

Quinn stated that it wouldn't be a like-for-like replacement. He thought it would be tough for Sinnott (or anyone else) to operate similarly to Bates. But things should become clearer later in the week.

It wouldn't be in exactly the same way, just plug and play. It's something that would be difficult in that spot. … Let's see where we are Friday.Dan Quinn

This reflects how the Commanders approached matters when Bates went out of the game at Lambeau Field. Sinnott's reps did not increase. Washington left rookie right tackle Josh Conerly Jr. on an island more often than not, and he suffered accordingly. That won't be a recipe for success versus four-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Maxx Crosby, but there remains some hesitancy to give the No. 53 overall selection in 2024 more responsibilities.

Things won't become concrete until Bates' official status is revealed. However, the Commanders need to find out what they have in Sinnott at some stage. Zach Ertz isn't getting any younger, and Washington has a successor in place. The trouble is, nobody knows if he can reach this billing right now.

Sinnott flashed some blocking prowess last season when called upon. Doing it on an every-down basis is something else entirely. Still, it would be a massive disappointment if he stayed on the fringes if Bates isn't risked.

That represents a damning indictment of Sinnott's progress. It would throw his long-term outlook into severe doubt, and potentially crush the player's confidence even further. Even so, the Commanders are not in the business of sentiment, and the coaching staff will do what they believe is right to get a much-needed victory over the Raiders.

The plans might include Sinnott, but they might not. We'll find out for sure just how his development is being perceived by those in power, one way or another.