Marcus Mariota injury update as Commanders QB exits London game
Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota exited the team's game in London against the Indianapolis Colts after suffering a knee injury on the team's second offensive series.
Mariota, in his second start replacing the injured Jayden Daniels, got his right leg caught underneath a Colts lineman as he was sacked. He left with a right knee injury.
Rookie Athan Kaliakmanis has replaced Mariota at quarterback.
Marcus Mariota is heading to the medical tent after taking a hit from Laiatu Latu.
- Aggregate (@AggregateSports) October 4, 2026
Definitely something to monitor for Washington. pic.twitter.com/vBMDxRiCTT
The Commanders took an early lead after recovering a Daniel Jones fumble deep in Colts territory and converting it into a 31-yard Drew Stevens field goal.
Aided by a 35-yard run by Mariota, Washington drove down the field on its next possession before the drive stalled in the red zone. Mariota was injured on a third-down sack that preceded a 29-yard field goal from Stevens to make it 6-0.
Will Marcus Mariota return?After a visit to the blue medical tent, Mariota walked into the locker room under his own power for tests on his right knee. The 32-year-old veteran dealt with an MCL sprain on the same knee during the preseason. The Commanders listed him as questionable to return.
Who is Athan Kaliakmanis?Kaliakmanis, a rookie out of Rutgers, was a seventh-round draft pick of the Commanders in the 2026 draft.
He began his college career at Minnesota before transferring to Rutgers for his final two collegiate seasons.
While Mariota has at least some of the mobility in the pocket that Daniels provides, Kaliakmanis is a pure pocket passer who rarely, if ever, ran in college.
With Kaliakmanis in the game, reserve tight end Colson Yankoff, a former 4-star quarterback in high school, is now the Commanders' emergency backup.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Marcus Mariota injury update as Commanders QB exits London game