Quarterback Marcus Mariota left with a knee injury in the first quarter, forcing the Washington Commanders to turn to third-string rookie Athan Kaliakmanis in a 30-13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
Washington was flagged 10 times for 84 yards to the Colts' one penalty for 5 yards, and it turned the ball over on downs on a fourth-and-1 in its own territory while leading 6-0. Coach Dan Quinn's decision on that play, and his postgame remark that the team is built for this, drew pointed criticism.
Mariota was making his second straight start in place of Jayden Daniels, who dislocated his left elbow in Week 2 against Dallas. Mariota hurt his right knee on a third-down sack midway through the first quarter with Washington leading 6-0, and he was ruled out at halftime. The loss dropped the Commanders to 1-3, while the Colts evened their record at 2-2.
Kaliakmanis, a seventh-round pick out of Rutgers taken No. 223 overall, was making his first NFL regular-season appearance. He completed 15 of 33 passes for 186 yards, with a 47-yard touchdown to receiver Treylon Burks and an interception.
"Athan came in after 12 plays," Quinn said. "That's not the ideal space to begin it, but I thought he also showed a lot of confidence, some fearlessness with that, and made some of the throws to highlight why he is where he is."
The Commanders posted the result with the words "Final from London."
Washington outgained Indianapolis 317-257 and had two takeaways to the Colts' one. The Commanders also went 2-for-15 on third down and 0-for-2 in the red zone. Colts running back Jonathan Taylor ran for 95 yards and two touchdowns.
"I loved the way the defense started, created takeaways but to only get field goals out of those … those were ones that we needed to nail," Quinn said.
SleeperCommanders, a Commanders news account, wrote that Washington "outgained the Colts 317 to 257, won the turnover battle 2 to 1, and still lost by 17," adding, "The flags swung the scoreboard."
A would-be 87-yard touchdown pass from Kaliakmanis to rookie receiver Antonio Williams was also wiped out by penalty, according to The Washington Sun. Colts linebacker Jaylon Carlies intercepted Kaliakmanis to open the second half, setting up Taylor's second touchdown. The rookie said there was "no need to try to put the cape on" and added, "The one time I did, it was a pick."
"Good lord, the refs in this game have been ridiculous against the Commanders," one fan wrote during the game. "Some really ticky tack penalties against them and zero penalties on the Colts."
Quinn said the shortcomings went beyond Kaliakmanis. "As far as a full team, I didn't think we did enough around him," he said.
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Washington's fourth-and-1 try came in the second quarter, on a play to running back Craig Reynolds. On the Colts' next drive, cornerback Amik Robertson, who led Washington with nine tackles, was flagged for unnecessary roughness after Indianapolis failed to convert a third-and-14, and Taylor scored on a 5-yard run. The Colts led the rest of the way.
"Up 6-0 in the 2nd quarter with a rookie 7th-rounder at QB, he goes for it on 4th & 1 from our own side of the field," SleeperCommanders wrote in a post asking how much of the loss falls on Quinn. "Craig Reynolds dive, stuffed. Colts score on the next drive and never trail again."
Quinn said after the game that his team has to be able to convert a fourth down of less than a yard and can't overthink it. He also said the Commanders are built for this and will focus on next week's game against the Giants.
That last comment, shared by NBC Sports Washington's JP Finlay, drew sharp responses. "Built for what? 1-3? Definitely built for stupid coaching decisions at mid field with your 3rd string QB playing," one fan wrote.
Quinn backed his players despite the 1-3 start. "I really believe in these guys," he said. "I think a good fire's been lit and it will stay lit. I have high expectations of what we can be, despite the start [to the season] we've had. It has not dampened my belief in them in any way. It is difficult to overcome some of the injuries. But I'm certain these are the right guys to battle for it."
"Built for what, five wins a season?" another fan wrote, before calling 2024 a magical year and adding, "There's not another one right around the corner."
Washington reached the NFC championship game in 2024, its first since 1991, but Daniels missed 10 games in 2025. The Commanders also played Sunday without receiver Terry McLaurin (hamstring) and offensive linemen Laremy Tunsil and Sam Cosmi.
One fan took a different view of Quinn. "I'm willing to give Quinn a pass," the fan wrote, citing injuries last season and this season, before adding that Washington signed a top free-agent tight end and "they have gotten literally nothing from the TE position in 4 games and they failed to address the O line issues."
The Washington Sun noted that the Commanders' tight ends, including veteran signing Chig Okonkwo, finished with fewer receiving yards Sunday than left tackle Brandon Coleman, who had a 13-yard catch.
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"The team thinks it's an MCL injury," Quinn said of Mariota. "When we get the scan (Monday), we'll have further knowledge of what we're dealing with in length (of absence)."
Daniels wore a brace on his injured left arm at practice this past week before being ruled out Friday. "He'll have a full week of practice," Quinn said. "That's the goal — that he can get into that space."
The Commanders host the New York Giants next Sunday, then visit the San Francisco 49ers on a Monday night before their bye. The Colts visit the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Kaliakmanis said he plans to study film of the game to make corrections. "I'm eager to get back after it," he said. "I don't know what the situation is going to be like, but I'm going to wake up and prepare like I'm the starter."
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network .
