WATCH: Commanders rookie Athan Kaliakmanis with first NFL TD pass

Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis made his NFL debut on October 4, 2026, when he threw a touchdown pass to Treylon Burks, helping his team cut the deficit to one possession in the third quarter. Kaliakmanis entered the game after Marcus Mariota suffered a knee injury during the first quarter, with Jayden Daniels out due to an elbow injury.

This marked the third time in the NFL this season that a team had played their third-string quarterback, following the Atlanta Falcons and Chicago Bears. The situation remains uncertain for Washington's starting quarterback in their upcoming game against the New York Giants, with Daniels potentially starting if healthy, Mariota possibly unavailable, or Kaliakmanis the only healthy backup available to start.