Daron Payne Faces IR Stint After Significant Practice Injury
WHO:
ESPN - Daron Payne is a Washington Commanders defensive tackle, the team’s longest-tenured position player, and is in the final year of his contract.
ESPN - Head coach Dan Quinn praised Payne’s “strength inside” and “power,” saying he wins “whether it’s pass rush or [tackles for a loss]” and that his unrecorded “dirty work” can “definitely feel it.”
ESPN - Payne was selected by Washington with the No. 13 pick in 2018. He started every game from 2020 through 2024, missed two games the following season, and has started every game this season.
ESPN - Payne made the Pro Bowl in 2022 after recording a career-best 11.5 sacks. He has recorded 11 combined sacks since then and has exceeded five sacks in only that Pro Bowl season.
ESPN - Washington’s other starting defensive end, Javon Kinlaw, is ruled out against the Philadelphia Eagles with a knee injury.
ESPN - Washington has defensive-end depth in Deatrich Wise Jr. and Charles Omenihu. Jer'Zhan Newton is listed as questionable after a pectoral-muscle tear.
commanders.com - Treylon Burks, Jer'Zhan Newton and John Bates are also listed as questionable. Terry McLaurin, Javontae Jean-Baptiste and Jacory Croskey-Merritt are on Injured Reserve.
commanders.com - Saquon Barkley, an Eagles running back listed with hamstring and back issues, is cleared to play.
WHAT:
NBC Sports - Washington had discussed potential trade terms for Daron Payne with one or more teams before his injury; the injury ended the possibility of a trade.
NBC Sports - Payne’s 2026 base salary was $16.4 million, which Washington would avoid paying for the remainder of the contract because of the injury.
Fox News - Payne’s injury was identified as a Jones fracture.
NBC Sports - Payne’s career totals include 67 tackles for loss and 86 quarterback hits.
NBC Sports - Payne’s 2026 season totals were 14 tackles, two tackles for loss, five quarterback hits and one sack.
Fox News - Washington allowed 100.5 rushing yards per game, ranking 14th in the NFL.
NBC Sports - Adam Schefter reported that Payne suffered a Jones fracture and will miss the remainder of 2026.
NBC Sports - Payne’s career totals are 67 tackles for loss and 86 quarterback hits.
NBC Sports - Payne recorded 14 total tackles, two tackles for loss, five quarterback hits and one sack in 2026.
Fox News - Washington allowed 29.7 points per game, the NFL’s worst mark, according to the article’s comparison with Arizona’s 29.7 points per game.
Fox News - Washington’s next three opponents are the Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Rams and New York Giants; the Rams game is at home.
Fox News - Payne suffered a season-ending Jones fracture, according to ESPN.
Fox News - Payne recorded 14 tackles and one sack in six games this season; across 136 career games, he has 446 tackles and 38 sacks.
Fox News - Washington allowed 28.7 points per game, the NFL’s second-worst mark, and 100.5 rushing yards per game, ranking 14th.
ESPN - Payne suffered a significant foot injury during a team drill. Initial X-rays showed significant damage, and sources said he is likely to go on injured reserve; depending on further tests, he could miss the rest of the season.
commanders.com - Payne was added to Washington’s injury report with a foot issue and is questionable for the game against Philadelphia.
ESPN - Washington is 1-4-1, and the Eagles are 2-5. Washington is also without Kinlaw for the matchup.
commanders.com - Charles Omenihu could return after missing Washington’s game against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 6; the team said he has been important to its run defense.
WHERE:
ESPN - The injury occurred during practice in Ashburn, Virginia.
WHEN:
NBC Sports - Payne’s Jones fracture will sideline him through the remainder of 2026.
ESPN - Payne was injured during practice on Friday, a day described as a light practice. The team planned additional tests on Saturday.
ESPN - The Commanders were scheduled to play the Eagles on Sunday.
ESPN - Washington opened Newton’s 21-day return window after he tore a pectoral muscle in a preseason game against the Miami Dolphins on August 14.
WHY:
NBC Sports - The article said Washington lost the opportunity to receive value for the remaining portion of Payne’s contract.
Fox News - The article said winning two of its next three games would give Washington a chance to remain in the NFC East race, while losing at least two would essentially seal its fate as a bottom-dweller.
Fox News - Payne had never missed more than two games in a season and had played a full season six times.
ESPN - Washington’s injury situation adds to the challenges facing the team during coach Dan Quinn’s third season.
commanders.com - Newton’s possible return could help compensate for Kinlaw’s absence on the defensive interior.
HOW:
ESPN - Payne’s injury was initially assessed with X-rays; further tests were planned to determine its severity and potential season impact.
Daron Payne’s season-ending Jones fracture sidelines Washington’s longest-tenured player and weakens its defense. The defensive tackle suffered the injury during practice, ending Washington’s hopes of trading him. Washington faces Philadelphia without injured defensive end Javon Kinlaw, while Saquon Barkley is cleared.