Colts in control with Marcus Mariota out after injuring the MCL in his right knee

Published October 4, 2026 11:22 AM The Commanders are struggling, and quarterback Marcus Mariota isn’t coming back to save them.Mariota was confirmed out for the rest of today’s game against the Colts after suffering a knee injury early in the game.According to the NFL Network broadcast, Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said Mariota re-injured the MCL in his right knee, which previously had to be surgically repaired in 2022.It’s not clear how serious the injury is, but Quinn said the team is “gutted” for Mariota.Seventh-round rookie Athan Kaliakmanis is now in at quarterback for the Commanders, and he’s playing about the way you’d expect a third-string seventh-round rookie to play. He’s currently 6-for-14 for 33 yards with an interception that set up Jonathan Taylor’s second touchdown of the game in the third quarter.It’s 17-6 Colts in the third quarter, and this one could get ugly for the Commanders.