The Washington Commanders are back in the win column after defeating the New York Giants on Thursday Night Football, and they couldn't have done it without a breakout game that's been three years in the making.
Starting tight end Chig Okonkwo left the game late in the first half with a back injury, though he later returned. And during his absence, forgotten man Ben Sinnott finally stepped up.
Sinnott, a second-round pick in 2024, caught four passes for 42 receiving yards and a touchdown at the end of the first half. It was by far the most productive outing of his NFL career, and hopefully the start of things to come.
Commanders finally saw the version of Ben Sinnott they've craved since 2024
The Kansas State product has been an enigma for Washington throughout his career. Sinnott has the skills to live up to his draft status, but he has never been able to get involved as a receiver.
In two and a half seasons, Sinnott has caught only 17 passes until Thursday night on prime time at MetLife Stadium.
He was buried behind Pro Bowl veteran Zach Ertz for two years and now has taken a back seat to Okonkwo. And even when those players have been hurt, Sinnott has seldom seen his number called.
But in Week 10, Sinnott saved the Commanders on more than one occasion.
On the final drive of the first half, he hurdled a defender to pick up a critical first down. Then Sinnott reeled in the go-ahead touchdown after Washington made life much harder from the six-inch line than it needed to be.
Ben Sinnott must become a bigger part of Commanders' offense moving forward
Sinnott also hauled in a 24-yard dime from quarterback Jayden Daniels early in the third quarter and was productive as a blocker. It was an all-around gem of a performance from the third-year pro.
It was surprising, least of all to Sinnott. But the player was always confident he could produce once his opportunities increased.
There might just be room for that now.
With or without Okonkwo, there is room for Sinnott to have a role as a pass-catcher in this Commanders offense. If offensive coordinator David Blough is supposed to take anything from his mentor Ben Johnson, it's his ability to use multiple tight end sets and find ways to get them to produce.
Sinnott has caught 21 of the 24 passes thrown his way in his career. He can break tackles and rack up yardage after the catch. Washington might just have a secret weapon on its team that nobody has ever figured out how to use.
If Thursday's win showed us anything, it's how the Commanders should be using Sinnott.
This needs to become the new normal for him moving forward.
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