Washington’s quarterback depth took another hit Sunday when Marcus Mariota was ruled out against the Indianapolis Colts with a right knee injury.
Mariota had started for the Commanders because Jayden Daniels remains sidelined with the dislocated left elbow he suffered Sept. 20. Daniels has now missed the past two games.
Quick facts
- Mariota injured his right knee during the first quarter against Indianapolis.
- Colts defensive end Laiatu Latu brought down Mariota on a third-down sack.
- Seventh-round rookie Athan Kaliakmanis entered for his first NFL regular-season action.
- Mariota completed 3 of 4 passes for 46 yards and ran once for 35 yards.
- Washington led 6-0 when Kaliakmanis took over.
The injury occurred midway through the opening quarter when Latu came down on Mariota’s right leg while finishing the sack. Mariota left the field for the locker room, and Washington later declared him out at halftime.
Kaliakmanis, 23, was selected No. 223 overall in the seventh round of the 2026 draft. He became the first quarterback from that draft class to play in a regular-season game.
The Rutgers product also became the first former Scarlet Knights quarterback to throw an NFL pass since Mike McMahon in 2005.
Washington now faces an increasingly unsettled quarterback situation. Daniels’ return timetable remains tied to his elbow recovery, while Mariota’s knee issue forced the Commanders to turn immediately to their rookie reserve against the Colts.
