Mariota’s knee injury puts Washington on to rookie quarterback
Marcus Mariota was ruled out at halftime against Indianapolis, leaving seventh-round pick Athan Kaliakmanis to take over in his first NFL appearance.
Washington turned to rookie quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis after Marcus Mariota left Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts with a right knee injury. The Commanders ruled Mariota out at halftime.
The injury came on Washington’s second series, when Mariota was sacked near the goal line. His knee appeared to bend during the play. After assessment in the medical tent, he walked to the locker room. No diagnosis or recovery timeline was reported.
Mariota had been filling in for Jayden Daniels, who missed his second consecutive game with a dislocated left elbow. Kaliakmanis, a seventh-round pick, entered for his first NFL snaps.
Washington was also without wide receiver Terry McLaurin and right guard Sam Cosmi. Defensive end Charles Omenihu was ruled out at halftime, while wide receiver Jaylin Lane left on a cart in the third quarter with an apparent lower-leg injury. No diagnosis for Lane was reported.
Mariota had started 10 games for Washington over three seasons and led the Commanders to a 33–31 win over Seattle the previous week, according to ESPN.
