The Commanders were down to their third-string quarterback today in London, and although rookie Athan Kaliakmanis showed some arm strength, it was the Colts’ running game that controlled the game.
Jonathan Taylor ran for two touchdowns, Daniel Jones ran for another, and the Colts beat the Commanders 30-13.
With first-string quarterback Jayden Daniels out because of an elbow injury, backup Marcus Mariota started for the Commanders. But Mariota had to leave in the first quarter with a knee injury, and that left it to Kaliakmanis to run the show the rest of the way.
Kaliakmanis did make some big plays, with completions of 48 and 47 yards as well as an 87-yard touchdown called back by a penalty, but he couldn’t do enough and the Colts controlled the game throughout.
Mariota wasn’t the only Commanders player lost to injury. Commanders wide receiver Jaylin Lane had to be carted off the field after suffering an ankle injury on a kickoff return and was quickly ruled out for the rest of the game.
The Colts improve to 2-2 with the win, but questions remain about Jones, who was not impressive throwing the ball. Jones went 19-for-34 for 143 yards, with no touchdown passes, an interception and a lost fumble.
The Commanders fall to 1-3, and they’re in a tough place, with no word yet on who their starting quarterback will be when they face the Giants next week. If Daniels can’t return to the field and return to the level of play he showed as a rookie two years ago, the Commanders’ season could spiral in a hurry.