With Jayden Daniels sidelined, Marcus Mariota injured and Athan Kaliakmanis fresh off his NFL debut, the Washington Commanders have quarterback questions again
The Washington Commanders' quarterback carousel continues following the week four loss against the Indianapolis Colts in London.
Veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota went down midway through the first quarter with what the team announced as a knee injury. Mariota was injured on a third down sack after rookie Matt Gulbin gave up the pressure, preceding the second made field goal by kicker Drew Stevens to put the Commanders ahead, 6-0.
Head coach Dan Quinn noted postgame the team believes it's an MCL injury for Mariota with a chance to undergo further testing once the team returns to Washington. Mariota was one of several notable injuries coming out of the loss as Quinn noted the groin injury for defensive end Charles Omenihu, while also noting that wide receiver Jaylin Lane suffered a "serious ankle injury" after he carted off the field.
Mariota was ruled out coming out of halftime after the broadcast noted that Mariota re-injured his MCL, which he injured in the first preseason game before being sidelined through August. He exited the game after amassing 46 passing yards and completing all but one of his four pass attempts in addition to a 35 yard run on the second drive.
Seventh round pick Athan Kaliakmanis stepped in to replace Mariota, finishing with 186 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception while completing 15 of his 33 attempts in his NFL debut. He was able to showcase his arm strength on a pair of deep throws, first to Treylon Burks for a 47 yard touchdown that cut the deficit to 17-13, then a 48 yard pass to Dyami Brown two plays later for the Commanders' offense.
Yet the interception proved to be consequential for the Commanders after the Colts capitalized on a short field, setting up running back Jonathan Taylor for his second touchdown of the game.
With uncertainty surrounding Mariota's status coming out of the loss, the question now becomes whether Jayden Daniels returns as the starter in week five. Daniels has been sidelined since exiting the week two loss against the Dallas Cowboys with a dislocated elbow, though was among the injured players who traveled to London with the team before being ruled out after Friday's practice. Quinn noted that the goal is for Daniels to return as the starter in week five.
The Commanders already entered week four without Jayden Daniels for the second consecutive week, though all eyes are fixed on whether a return in week five now comes to fruition when the New York Giants head to Northwest Stadium.
