Mariota injury tests Commanders' unproven QBs
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Athan Kaliakmanis was a seventh-round pick. Photo: Scott Taetsch/Getty Images
The Commanders got a preview of a worst-case scenario in their preseason opener.
- Backup quarterback Marcus Mariota sprained a ligament in his right knee in his first four plays, pushing former practice squad QB Sam Hartman into the game early.
Why it matters: Every NFL team is an injury or two away from sending out a guy you've never heard of at the most important position in football.
Zoom out: Franchise quarterback Jayden Daniels enters the season healthy. He didn't play against Miami on Friday so he wouldn't risk what happened to Mariota.
- But the Commanders have seen this movie before. Last year, Mariota and former third-stringer Josh Johnson combined for 10 starts while Daniels was injured.
- Mariota (MCL) will miss the rest of the preseason, coach Dan Quinn said in a news conference.
- Hartman and rookie seventh-round pick Athan Kaliakmanis, who played most of the second half Friday, are competing for a job as the third quarterback. Neither has thrown a pass in a regular-season game.
🤷 So, who are these guys?
Hartman signed with Washington as an undrafted free agent in 2024 after playing at Wake Forest and Notre Dame.
🧔🏻 He has drawn more attention for his bearded good looks than his throwing arm.
- In three preseason games last year, he threw four picks and took two sacks.
- He added another interception and took another sack Friday — but he also led two drives that ended in touchdowns.
Kaliakmanis made 42 college starts during stints at Minnesota and Rutgers. He was the eighth quarterback taken in the 2026 NFL Draft.
- He hit 6 of 10 passes for 87 yards against the Dolphins — and took two sacks.
- His 28-yard pass to Jacoby Jones in the third quarter was the team's longest completion of the night.
Context: NFL teams don't like to spend draft picks on players just to turn around and cut them.
After one preseason game, it's hard to say who has the edge for QB3.
- But they may be competing for a spot on the practice squad if Washington decides not to carry three QBs on its 53-man roster.
- If Daniels and Mariota both go down during the season, the team could look for a more experienced option in free agency or through a trade.
What's next: Hartman and Kaliakmanis should see more snaps than they might have in Week 2 of the preseason on Saturday at Detroit.