Commanders QB Mariota injures his knee in game vs. Colts, rookie Kaliakmanis playing

Washington's Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota injured his knee during a game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. After a sack in the first quarter, the veteran player went to the locker room to have his knee examined.

With Mariota listed as questionable to return, rookie Athan Kaliakmanis entered the game. Kaliakmanis, the Commanders' seventh-round pick from Rutgers in 2026, had not played before this match. He threw six passes for 33 yards by halftime.

The Commander's starter Jayden Daniels had been ruled out on Friday due to an elbow injury. The team therefore called upon Kaliakmanis to step in. Washington was down 10-6 when Mariota left the game, trailing behind Indianapolis.