Commanders' Mariota won't return vs. Colts due to knee injury

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 04: Marcus Mariota of the Washington Commanders during the NFL match between Indianapolis Colts and Washington Commanders as part of the London NFL Series 2026 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 04, 2026 in London, England.

Alex Pantling / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota won't return for the team's Week 4 London contest against the Indianapolis Colts due to a knee injury.

Mariota suffered the ailment after taking a hit in the pocket in the first quarter. He spent time in the medical tent before heading to the locker room.

Here’s the play that Marcus Mariota got hurt on. He’s now headed to the locker room. https://t.co/DszMaJu5mq
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) October 4, 2026

Rookie signal-caller Athan Kaliakmanis has replaced Mariota for the rest of the game. Kaliakmanis was selected in the seventh round of the 2026 draft out of Rutgers. He was the Scarlet Knights' primary starter for two seasons before entering the NFL, throwing for 5,820 yards with 38 touchdowns and 14 interceptions during that stretch.

Mariota started for Jayden Daniels, who's sidelined due to a dislocated elbow sustained in Week 2. Mariota also started in last week's 33-31 victory over the Seattle Seahawks.

Daniels was ruled out on Friday's injury report after practicing as a limited participant all week. Tight end Colson Yankoff is listed as the team's emergency quarterback if Kaliakmanis is forced out of this game.