Marcus Mariota suffers MCL tear in London as Commanders fall to Colts

Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota sustained a knee injury during the team’s October 4 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London and was ruled out for the remainder of the contest.

The injury occurred in the second half when Colts defensive lineman Laiatu Latu tackled Mariota in the pass pocket, prompting concerns of a medial collateral ligament (MCL) tear. OutKick medical expert Dr. David Chao, a former chief doctor for the San Diego Chargers, confirmed the likelihood of an MCL injury, noting Mariota’s prior surgery for a similar injury in 2022.

Mariota, who had stepped in after starter Jayden Daniels suffered a dislocated left elbow in a September 20 game against the Dallas Cowboys, managed to lead Washington’s offense until the sack. After halftime, the team announced he would not return, leaving the Commanders without their first‑ and second‑string quarterbacks.

Third‑string rookie Athan Kaliakmanis, a seventh‑round pick from the 2026 NFL Draft who played college football at Minnesota and Rutgers, took over quarterback duties for the remainder of the game. Washington ultimately fell to the Colts, adding another loss to an already winless record abroad.

The matchup was the first of three NFL International Series games scheduled for 2026, part of a broader effort to expand the league’s global footprint. Both teams have a history of playing in London, with the Commanders entering the game as the only NFL team with more than three international appearances but no wins overseas (0‑2‑1).

Washington now faces a quarterback shortage heading into Week 5 against the New York Giants, with hopes that Daniels may return to practice on a limited basis. The team’s immediate priority will be assessing Mariota’s recovery timeline and determining whether he can rejoin the roster later in the season.