Ben Sinnott is thrilled with the situation that could lead to him getting more snaps for the final four games. Like the rest of the Washington Commanders' roster, Sinnott is "devastated" for fellow tight end Zach Ertz, who suffered a season-ending ACL tear against the Minnesota Vikings.
Ertz's absence, however, means more opportunities for Sinnott and the remaining tight ends on the Commanders' roster, and he's ready to make the most of an expanded role.
"I'm excited to...do what I know I can do," Sinnott said.
Sinnott was the second tight end taken off the board when the Commanders selected him with the 53rd overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He was praised for his route running coming out of Kansas State, where he recorded 1,138 yards and 10 touchdowns on 82 receptions over three seasons, as well as his potential as a blocker. He's done more of the latter during his NFL career, with more than a third of his snaps coming on special teams. Over the last two seasons, he has had nine catches on nine targets for 69 yards and two touchdowns.
The Commanders, who already had their primary starting and backup tight ends in Ertz and John Bates when they drafted Sinnott, have tried to give him time to develop as the third player on the depth chart. So far, Sinnott has felt the effects of that approach. He said the game is slowing down for him, and he's gaining confidence in his role within Washington's scheme.
"I'm just excited to see what I can do," Sinnott said. "The more football I'm able to play, the better I can get."
Quinn has noticed the work he's put in to improve, too. He's seen the extra work he's done with Ertz on the sideline during practice, and Quinn said it's made a noticeable difference in his development. "We feel his speed," Quinn added, "we feel his energy to go do that."
Sinnott has shown flashes of what he can do as a pass catcher over the last two years. He made a 22-yard grab -- the longest of his career so far -- in Week 8 against the Kansas City Chiefs. Two weeks later, he got the second touchdown catch of his career on a four-yard pass from Marcus Mariota against the Detroit Lions.
After the game, Quinn said it has been good to see the improvements Sinnott has made "come to life" in a game scenario. And after seeing him start to make more plays, Quinn has more confidence that he'sready for a larger role.
"It really started on the special teams side first, where in the preseason [you] saw tackles and making plays, and then it kind of carried over into the offense," Quinn said. "He's got real speed; he's physical as a blocker. So, it was good to see him make the jumps that you want to see a player going from year one into year two."
It's been difficult for Sinnott to get on the field, though, mostly because of the overall talent in the position group. Ertz is one of the best tight ends in NFL history, and Bates, while not a pass-catcher, provides invaluable snaps as a blocker. Ertz said that there are few people on the planet who can block like Bates, and it's been hard for the Commanders to justify leaving either player on the sideline.
That doesn't mean Kingsbury or anyone else on the coaching staff is down on what Sinnott has to offer.
"He's a dynamic player in space for that type of position," Kingsbury said. "[He] Can create separation, all those things ... He's progressed just the way we want."
Sinnott should have an easier runway to prove how impactful he can be this weekend against the New York Giants, who rank near the bottom of nearly every defensive category in the league. It's a team that Ertz performed well against in Week 1, catching three passes for 26 yards and a touchdown. The Giants are also fresh off allowing veteran tight end Hunter Henry to lead the New England Patriots with four receptions for 73 yards in a 33-15 victory over New York.
With the Commanders now eliminated from postseason contention, the team has a chance to get a better look at their younger players in the final four weeks. Sinnott wants to show that their future at tight end is bright.
"Don't like the circumstance of how it happened," Quinn said, "but when it does and you take advantage of it, it's a big deal."
