Commanders QB Marcus Mariota suffers knee injury in loss to Colts

The Commanders' quarterback quandary has grown even more precarious.

Backup QB Marcus Mariota did not return to Sunday's 30-13 loss to the Colts in London after suffering a right knee injury in the first quarter. Mariota was replaced by seventh-round rookie Athan Kaliakmanis and ruled out at halftime.

Mariota was playing in place of Washington starter Jayden Daniels, who has been sidelined the last two weeks after dislocating his left elbow on Sept. 20.

Commanders coach Dan Quinn said after the loss that Mariota is feared to have aggravated an MCL injury that sidelined him in 2022. The vet QB will undergo testing to confirm the nature of the injury.

Mariota suffered the knee injury on a third-down sack midway through the first quarter when Indy defensive end Laiatu Latu landed on the veteran QB's right leg. Mariota went to the locker room and was replaced by Kaliakmanis, with Washington leading 6-0.

This was Kaliakmanis' first NFL regular-season game appearance. The 23-year-old is the first QB drafted out of Rutgers to attempt a pass in the NFL since the 2005 season (Mike McMahon).

Kaliakmanis is also the first rookie QB from the 2026 draft to take a regular-season snap; he was the eighth QB taken at No. 223 overall.

Mariota finished 3-of-4 passing for 46 yards on the day, adding one rush for 35 yards. Kaliakmanis went 15 of 33 for 186 yards with a touchdown and an interception in relief.