NFL suspends Commanders DT Daron Payne for one game

Washington Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne ‘has been suspended without pay for one game for an act of unsportsmanlike conduct during Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions,’ the NFL said in a statement.

Payne was ejected from the team’s Week 10 matchup after striking the Lions’ Amon-Ra St. Brown in the helmet during the second quarter. He was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct and then promptly sent off, though it remains unclear what provoked the act.

According to the release:

‘During the second quarter, Payne was disqualified for striking Detroit’s Amon-Ra St. Brown, a violation of Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1, which applies to “any act which is contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship,” including “throwing a punch, or a forearm,” and Rule 12, Section 2, Article 14(d), which prohibits “striking, swinging at, or clubbing the head or neck of an opponent with the wrist(s), arm(s), elbow(s), or hand(s).”

The 28-year-old was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2022 and is Washington’s highest-paid player on defense.

Washington has now lost five-straight games in what has been a nightmare season to follow up a magical 2024 campaign. Payne’s suspension comes one week after the league initially suspended linebacker Frankie Luvu for one game following repeated hip-drop tackle violations.

Luvu’s suspension was overturned on appeal and reduced to a $100,000 fine.

As it stands, Payne is set to miss Week 11 when the Commanders travel to Madrid to play the Miami Dolphins. It is the NFL’s final international game of the season.

If he serves the suspension, Payne would be eligible to return to the team on Monday, Nov. 17.

The defensive tackle can choose to appeal the suspension, according to the league’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. Any appeal hearing for Payne would be heard by Derrick Brooks, Ramon Foster, or Jordy Nelson.