Colts lead as Commanders' offense sputters behind third-string QB Athan Kaliakmanis

Published October 4, 2026 10:59 AM The Commanders’ offense is down to its third-string quarterback, and it shows.Rookie Athan Kaliakmanis is now running Washington’s offense after Marcus Mariota exited today’s game with a knee injury. Starter Jayden Daniels is not active today because of an elbow injury. The Colts lead 10-6 at halftime.The offense, which was moving the ball well with Mariota, has sputtered with Kaliakmanis. It hasn’t been all his fault; there have been major protection breakdowns that have had Kaliakmanis throwing under pressure.The Colts’ offense hasn’t been very good, either, and doesn’t have a third-string quarterback to blame. Starter Daniel Jones has looked mostly awful today, although the Colts did score on one drive, with Jonathan Taylor running for a touchdown. That drive was aided by a highly questionable unnecessary roughness penalty on Washington’s Amik Robertson after the Commanders appeared to have a third-down stop.The Commanders are going to have to find a way to protect Kaliakmanis, and the Colts have to hope that Jones can shake off his ugly start.