Washington’s Turnover Emphasis Keeps Showing Up in Preseason — Commanders Daily

Washington’s takeaway emphasis is already producing results through two preseason games, while Dan Quinn says Sam Cosmi may be playing the best football he has seen from the Commanders right guard.

Aug 22, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Washington Commanders cornerback Amik Robertson (2) sacks Detroit Lions quarterback Joshua Dobbs (6) and causes a fumble in the first quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Commanders logged their sixth preseason takeaway in Detroit while Dan Quinn praised Sam Cosmi for playing the best football of his career amid O-line questions. | Philip Hughes | HTTR4LIFE LLC

The Washington Commanders spent their entire offseason program and training camp preaching takeaways and, through two preseason games, are producing results. The team now has six total takeaways after adding two more on Saturday night. Both takeaways came from the starting defense, as Amik Robertson got the early strip-sack that Joshua Josephs was able to recover in the end zone for a touchdown. Safety Quan Martin had the other takeaway after adding his second interception in as many games.

Commanders rookie Joshua Josephs earned this touchdown. Won quickly and his pressure forced Dobbs to escape left - into Amik Robertson. Then hauled his ass off and ripped the ball out of the lineman's hand for a touchdown. Impact play. #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/TPZR9t10CB

— Jamual (@LetMualTellit) August 23, 2026

Commanders head coach Dan Quinn is more concerned with the team's ability to consistently use the techniques that create the turnovers. "The end result of two is nice, but I want to make sure we're going through the process to create them, because that's, to me, as important as just the end result," he said. Specifically, Quinn wants more defenders to attack the ball once a tackle is secured, rather than relying on interceptions or the occasional splash play.

This defense has a plan to take the ball away, not just talk of playing more aggressively. Martin's two interceptions and Robertson's strip-sack show how the defense is generating more possessions for the offense. Mix in the five sacks against Detroit, despite several of the team's top pass rushers not playing, and Quinn has more evidence that the disruptive style the staff has stressed wanting is now showing up in games. Those six preseason takeaways are lovely to see, but if Washington wants that to continue into the regular season, the habits creating them need to survive and thrive once the games begin counting.

Dan Quinn likes what Amik Robertson brings to the team, including the big hit on Josh Dobbs that forced a fumble. Called him a legit dawg-ass competitor. pic.twitter.com/Xr54zQ4j0l

— COMMANDERS FOOTBALL (@HogsHaven) August 22, 2026

Dan Quinn Says Sam Cosmi May Be Playing His Best Football

Aug 22, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Washington Commanders safety Jeremy Reaves (39) and guard Sam Cosmi (76) take the field before the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

On an offensive line where not much is going right now, one position looks increasingly comfortable: right guard. After spending the week defending the reshuffled offensive line, Cosmi played with the starters against the Lions. Saturday night, Quinn offered his assessment of Cosmi's camp: "Sam's really having a good camp. He's maybe playing the best that I've seen him play in the couple, three years. His technique, he's on it." Cosmi is one of the constants on a line filled with changes this year, and Quinn has noticed his ongoing communication with second-year tackle Josh Conerly Jr., something he hopes gives Washington positive momentum to build on along the right side of the line.

Quinn's praise of Cosmi does not erase the larger concerns with the offensive line, but highlights what Cosmi brings to the situation. Overall, Washington’s offensive line remains unsettled as the regular season approaches, but the player at the center of its stability may currently be playing the best football Quinn has seen from him.

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