LONDON (AP) — The Commanders are headed back to Washington dealing with yet another quarterback injury.
That makes for an unpleasant flight home after Washington lost 30-13 to the Indianapolis Colts at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday.
Click to Gallery
Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) runs with the ball during an NFL football game against Indianapolis Colts in London, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Indianapolis Colts defensive end Jaylahn Tuimoloau (91) tries to block a pass by Washington Commanders quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (16) during an NFL football game in London, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) greets Washington Commanders quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (16) after an NFL football game in London, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ian Walton)
Washington Commanders quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (16) throws a pass challenged vy Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Adetomiwa Adebawore (95) during an NFL football game against Indianapolis Colts in London, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Marcus Mariota lasted just two drives in his second straight start in place of Jayden Daniels, who dislocated his left elbow in Week 2 against Dallas but might be back soon.
Mariota sustained a knee injury while getting sacked. So the Commanders (1-3) turned to rookie Athan Kaliakmanis, a rookie seventh-round draft pick out of Rutgers.
“Athan came in after 12 plays. 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,” coach Dan Quinn said.
“As far as a full team, I didn’t think we did enough around him,” Quinn added. “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.”
Washington led 6-0 on field goals from Drew Stevens, but from there the Colts took control. Indy took a 10-6 lead into halftime.
Jaylon Carlies' third-quarter interception of Kaliakmanis in Washington territory set up Jonathan Taylor's second 5-yard touchdown run to make it 17-6.
Kaliakmanis said that interception was the one time he tried to do too much.
“There’s no need to try to put the cape on ... The one time I did, it was a pick. Maybe I could have put a little more loft on it ... maybe I could have thrown it away," he said.
The highlight of his day was hitting Treylon Burks on a 47-yard touchdown pass that closed the gap to 17-13.
“It was surreal, man, it was absolutely surreal,” Kaliakmanis said, “but I’ve got to be honest, right now I’m just thinking about the loss. It’s not about me. It’s about this team.
“There were some very blessed moments for me,” he added, “but at the end of the day I’m a winner and today we did not win.”
The rookie said he's looking forward to studying film of the game to make corrections. He completed 15 of 33 passes for 186 yards with one touchdown and the interception.
“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.”
The Commanders host the New York Giants next Sunday and ideally would have their star QB back in action.
Daniels wore a brace this week on his injured — non-throwing arm — this past week at practice but was ruled out on Friday. Mariota had led the team to a 33-31 victory over the Seahawks last week, so there was confidence in the veteran.
Daniels had expressed no concerns about re-injuring the elbow.
“He’ll have a full week of practice,” Quinn said. “That's the goal — that he can get into that space. Once we see where Marcus is, that part too, we'll have a better understanding. That's the goal — for Jayden to throw full on. He was able to do some limited this week. This week would be the plan for him to do all the reps.”
Mariota had a 35-yard run around the left end to start Washington' second drive — and that alone made him the team's leading rusher for the game. Austin Ekeler carried four times for 29 yards.
“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).”
The Commanders also missed having Terry McLaurin in the lineup. The wide receiver suffered a hamstring injury on Friday and he was ruled out Sunday.
“He desperately wanted to go. It was just the best play to hold him out,” Quinn said.
Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu said the team will stay positive.
“We can’t sit around, mope around,” he said. “It’s a long season. Getting back to work is all we know.”
See AP’s full NFL coverage here
Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) runs with the ball during an NFL football game against Indianapolis Colts in London, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Indianapolis Colts defensive end Jaylahn Tuimoloau (91) tries to block a pass by Washington Commanders quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (16) during an NFL football game in London, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) greets Washington Commanders quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (16) after an NFL football game in London, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ian Walton)
Washington Commanders quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (16) throws a pass challenged vy Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Adetomiwa Adebawore (95) during an NFL football game against Indianapolis Colts in London, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — An ugly win left the Green Bay Packers dissatisfied.
Jordan Love threw two touchdown passes and the Packers overcame two fourth-quarter turnovers to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17-14 on Sunday.
Undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels threw two picks that led to 10 points in his first career start filling in for Baker Mayfield, who missed a game for the first time in his three-plus seasons in Tampa Bay because of a dislocated thumb.
The Packers (2-2) wasted two opportunities to extend a three-point lead in the fourth quarter but the Buccaneers couldn't capitalize.
“There were some positive things but we’re never going to be satisfied with scoring 17 points in a game,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. “That’s just not to our standard and we have to find ways when we’re in the red area to convert. We can’t be turning the ball over. We can’t have penalties. That is a stingy defense. You have to give them a lot of credit. … But we also have to clean up a lot of stuff. It’s gotta get fixed and it’s gotta get fixed now.”
Tykee Smith forced Kaleb Johnson to fumble inside the 5 with just over nine minutes left in the game. A’Shawn Robinson recovered at the 4 but the ensuing drive went nowhere.
“A great teacher is the bench. If guys don’t start holding onto the ball, they’re gonna be sitting on the bench,” LaFleur said bluntly.
The Packers then had a first-and-15 at the Buccaneers 26 when Jacob Parrish picked Love's pass and gave Tampa Bay the ball at the 15 and a chance for a comeback win.
Instead, Daniels threw a short screen pass to Emeka Egbuka on third-and-16 and incomplete on fourth down from the Packers 47. Coach Todd Bowles passed up a 65-yard field-goal attempt by Chase McLaughlin, who made one from that distance last year.
Bowles said a little wind factored into the decision not to try it.
The Buccaneers are 0-4 for the first time since 2014. Only the 1992 Chargers overcame an 0-4 start to make the playoffs.
“I’m the head coach. I can do more. I can always do more. I’ll always take the blame," Bowles said. "We’re gonna fight, we’re gonna stick together and we’re gonna figure this thing out. And I’ll lead them to that. It’s my job.”
Love tossed a 2-yard touchdown pass to Matthew Golden on fourth down to give the Packers a 7-0 lead in the second quarter. Evan Williams made a sliding interception near the sideline to give Green Bay the ball at the 32. Love connected with Tucker Kraft for 10 yards on fourth-and-1 to keep the drive going. Kraft also took a direct snap and sneaked for a first down on another fourth-and-1 at the Buccaneers 10.
The Packers turned an interception by Edgerrin Cooper in the final minute of the first half into a field goal. Cooper stepped in front of Daniels' pass to Kameron Johnson, caught the ball falling to the ground, got up and returned it 18 yards to the Buccaneers 44. Trey Smack kicked a 58-yarder to give Green Bay a 10-7 lead.
Love's 2-yard TD pass to Kraft on the opening drive of the third quarter extended the lead to 17-7.
“We’ll take the win for sure. It was sloppy on those last drives,” Love said. “We have a chance to put the game out of reach. Two turnovers is unacceptable. That’s something we have to clean up. … That was the disappointing part of the game.”
Sean Tucker ran in from the 2 to tie it at 7. Daniels completed both of his passes for 27 yards combined on the drive and scrambled 9 yards before Tucker's score.
Daniels connected with Kenneth Gainwell on a 10-yard TD pass to cut the deficit to 17-14 early in the fourth quarter.
Cooper was carted off the field in the third quarter with an Achilles tendon injury. The Packers are still missing three-time All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons, who is recovering from surgery for a torn ACL suffered last December.
Love got his best protection this season despite playing played behind an offensive line missing three starters: Zach Bako-Bewele, Aaron Banks and Jacob Monk. Laken Tomlinson became the fourth player to start at left guard. Veteran guard Kevin Zeitler signed earlier in the week was inactive.
After taking 31 QB hits in the first three games, Love took two.
“The O-line did a great job,” Love said. “Pass protection, run game, just keeping me clean and giving me time. They did a great job and you can feel the difference back there for sure.”
Packers: CB Brandon Cisse hurt his neck and was being evaluated for concussion. ... LB Isaiah McDuffie replaced Cooper and briefly left with an eye injury. ... RB Chris Brooks and DT Devonte Wyatt both left in the first half with ankle injuries. ... Banks (toe, knee) and Monk (quadriceps) will return while Bako-Bewele (knee) is out for the season.
Buccaneers: Edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. (groin), CB Benjamin Morrison (quadriceps), TE Ko Kieft (elbow) were inactive. ... S Antoine Winfield Jr. hurt his abdomen and a rib late in the fourth quarter. ... LB SirVocea Dennis injured his ankle.
Packers: Host Chicago next Sunday.
Buccaneers: Visit Dallas on Thursday night.
See AP’s full NFL coverage here
Green Bay Packers safety Xavier McKinney (29) sacks Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jalon Daniels (10) during the first half of an NFL football game in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Green Bay Packers running back Kaleb Johnson (26) avoids a tackle during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell (1) is tackles by Green Bay Packers linebacker Isaiah McDuffie (58) and safety Javon Bullard (7) during the second half of an NFL football game in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell (1) dives to score a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) aims a pass during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
