Commanders QB Athan Kaliakmanis took over for Marcus Mariota after Mariota left Sunday's 30-13 loss to the Colts with a right leg injury in the first quarter. Kaliakmanis completed 15 of 33 passes (45.5%) for 186 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT, and he took 1 sack. His lone TD came on a 47-yard strike, and he added 16 yards on 3 carries. Before exiting, Mariota went 3 for 4 for 46 yards and ripped off a 35-yard scramble.
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The matchup could hardly have been better for a backup. Indianapolis entered the game allowing the 5th-most schedule-adjusted QB points (21.19 per game), and it ranked 28th in pass defense DVOA (30.8%). The Colts also allowed a league-high 9.8 yards per attempt through the first two weeks, yet Kaliakmanis managed just 5.6 yards per attempt. He spread the ball around, with WR Stefon Diggs (9 targets) and Antonio Williams (8 targets) as his top options. WR Terry McLaurin not playing didn’t seem to help.
Jayden Daniels is expected back next week, sending Kaliakmanis back to the bench. Washington's next stretch is the Giants (11th in adjusted QB points allowed, 19.42 per game; 21st in pass DVOA), then the 49ers (24th, 15.32; 7th in pass DVOA), a bye, and the Eagles (7th, 21.10; 24th in pass DVOA). That stretch sets up nicely for Daniels outside the San Francisco game. Kaliakmanis stays on the radar only in very deep superflex leagues if Daniels suffers a setback (and if Mariota’s injury causes him to miss time).
