During a chaotic second quarter of the Washington Commanders’ 44-22 loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne swung and struck Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown — a helmeted blow that drew an immediate unsportsmanlike-conduct flag and on-field ejection.
Broadcast replays show Payne turning and landing a right-hand blow to St. Brown’s helmet; officials quickly separated the teams and ejected Payne before play resumed.
The NFL reviewed that sequence and announced Monday that Payne will be suspended without pay for one game for “striking” an opponent under the league’s unsportsmanlike-conduct rules.
He will be eligible to return to the active roster following Washington’s Nov. 16 matchup in Madrid against the Miami Dolphins.
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In the NFL’s official release, Payne was ejected from Sunday’s game for violating 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).”
His actions also violated Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1 applied to “any act which is contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship,” including “throwing a punch, or a forearm.”
The NFL has issued single-game suspensions for similar punch-related incidents in recent years and levied fines of roughly $11,000-$12,000 for comparable strikes this season — a disciplinary pattern that informed Monday’s decision.
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A former first-round pick and 2022 Pro Bowler, Payne has been the Commanders’ most consistent interior line disruptor over the last eight seasons.
Across 125 games in Washington, he has 416 tackles, 78 QB hits, 63 tackles for loss, 35 sacks, seven forced fumbles, and six fumble recoveries; through 10 games this season, he already has 30 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, and one safety.
Losing him for the Miami game in Madrid will force heavy defensive adjustments, more reliance on other interior linemen like Javon Kinlaw, Eddie Goldman, and Jer’Zhan Newton, and schematic shifts to generate interior push without Payne’s presence.
With their fifth straight loss leaving them 3-7 and injuries mounting on offense and defense, including to QB Jayden Daniels, this setback further deepens the team’s struggles.