The Washington Commanders have suffered a significant blow as starting right guard Sam Cosmi has been diagnosed with a torn ACL, ruling him out for the remainder of the NFL playoffs.

Head Coach Dan Quinn announced the unfortunate development on Sunday, confirming that Cosmi sustained the injury to his right knee during the Commanders’ impressive 45-31 win against the Detroit Lions, which has propelled them into the NFC Championship game. Following his exit from the game, Cosmi was seen on the sidelines with a substantial brace on his leg.

Quinn expressed the weight of the loss, stating, “That’s a big deal, the ballplayer and the man,” highlighting Cosmi’s importance to the team beyond just his skills on the field.

Trent Scott stepped in to replace Cosmi at right guard during the game against the Lions. The team has yet to outline its strategy moving forward to fill the void left by Cosmi’s absence.

Cosmi has been one of the more established players within the organization, serving as a vital stabilizing presence on the offensive line, especially in the first season under a new regime led by general manager Adam Peters, who revamped over half the roster. Before the season commenced, Cosmi secured a four-year deal valued at $74 million, with $45 million guaranteed.

The offensive line has shown marked improvement compared to the previous year, where the team finished with a disappointing 4-13 record under Ron Rivera, who was in his final season as head coach.

Selected as a second-round pick in 2021 from Texas, Cosmi originally played as a tackle but made a smoother transition to guard, where he has flourished.