The Washington Commanders came into their Week 4 international game against the Indianapolis Colts with plenty of momentum after a sensational upset victory over the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. Unfortunately, that momentum didn't last.
Fortune was not working in the Commanders' favor. They lost some critical men due to injury, joining the countless others already out of action. That quickly sapped any positivity from the contest, and it was hard to keep treading water.
Washington is quickly falling into the same plight as last season, and it's going to take a massive effort from head coach Dan Quinn's squad to mount an NFC East title challenge from here.
Everything that could go wrong did go wrong for the Commanders. There was a lot of blame to go around, but it doesn't change the fact that this team is now staring at a crossroads before the New York Giants come to town in Week 5.
With that in mind, here are 11 instant reactions to the Commanders' defeat against Indianapolis at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Instant reactions from the Commanders' defeat against the Colts in Week 4
Commanders QB situation gets worse
The Commanders got off to a good start, but doubts rose immediately when veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota suffered a knee injury in the first quarter. And with Jayden Daniels also missing the contest with a dislocated elbow, the concerns were clear.
Mariota was sacked in the red zone, and edge rusher Laiatu Latu fell into his right knee. After getting checked out in the medical tent, the Oregon product went back to the locker room, leaving seventh-round rookie Athan Kaliakmanis with the responsibilities under center.
This shifted the mood, and it's more vital than ever that Daniels returns in Week 5 against the New York Giants.
Commanders need Sam Cosmi back quickly
The Commanders tweaked their offensive line, with Lucas Patrick staying at center and rookie sixth-round pick Matt Gulbin at right guard in place of Nick Allegretti, who'd started the season poorly. However, this once again proved how vital Sam Cosmi is to the team's plans.
It was asking a lot of Gulbin. The Commanders were willing to ride the wave, but he struggled to build any momentum. The Colts had their way with the Michigan State product, which wasn't especially helpful with Athan Kaliakmanis under center.
Cosmi didn't make the trip to London due to a concussion and throat issue. But the sooner he gets the all-clear, the better.
Commanders keep getting bitten by the injury bug
Marcus Mariota wasn't the only one bitten by the injury bug in London. The Commanders also lost defensive lineman Charles Omenihu early in the contest; wide receiver Jaylin Lane was carted off the field after a gruesome-looking injury on a kickoff return; safety Jeremy Reaves damaged his arm; Tyler Owens went down with a hamstring issue; rookie linebacker Sonny Styles also spent some time off the field.
This follows a concerning trend from last season. Washington's hopes were decimated by injuries in 2025, and the same is happening again this time around. It's unfortunate in its most brutal form, but the Commanders are struggling to compete once again.
Hopefully, there will be some good news soon. But with so many franchise cornerstones already on the shelf, the Commanders could have done without it.
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