Commanders down to third-string QB as Mariota exits with knee injury vs. Colts

The Washington Commanders' quarterback situation went from bad to worse in London on Sunday, as Marcus Mariota exited the game against the Colts with a knee injury and did not return, leaving the offense in the hands of rookie seventh-round pick Athan Kaliakmanis.

Mariota had already been downgraded to out before kickoff with the knee issue, but he started the game anyway before heading to the locker room after taking a sack. The Commanders then ruled him out for the remainder of the contest, making Kaliakmanis the third quarterback Washington has used this season after starter Jayden Daniels was inactive with an elbow injury.

Kaliakmanis, taken 223rd overall in this year's draft out of Rutgers, is making his NFL debut under difficult circumstances. The Colts' defense pressured him heavily, and the rookie took repeated hits as Washington's protection broke down. The broadcast noted he became the first Rutgers quarterback to throw a pass in an NFL game since 2005.

With Mariota sidelined and Daniels still working back from his dislocated elbow, the Commanders' depth chart at quarterback is suddenly thin. Washington is hopeful Daniels can return next week against the Giants, but for the rest of today's London game, the offense belongs to Kaliakmanis.