OUTDaron Payne
IL/DT WAS (12)
Wed 12/24/25 7:52 PM

Payne (back) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Cowboys.
EDGE Analysis
Payne was held out of all three practice sessions during Week 17 prep due to a back issue. The veteran defensive tackle will be sidelined Christmas Day, so Sheldon Day and Jer'Zhan Newton are the top candidates to start alongside Javon Kinlaw in Payne's absence. With the Commanders eliminated from playoff contention, Payne's last opportunity to play this season is Week 18 against the Eagles.

OUTDaron Payne
IL/DT WAS (12)
Mon 12/22/25 6:42 PM

Payne (back) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's estimated practice report.
EDGE Analysis
The Commanders held a walkthrough Monday after losing to the Eagles on Saturday. The veteran defensive lineman hasn't missed a game to injury since the 2019 campaign. Through 14 contests this season, Payne has recorded 42 tackles (17 solo), including 2.0 sacks, five pass breakups and one forced fumble.

OUTDaron Payne
IL/DT WAS (12)
Mon 11/17/25 7:48 PM

The NFL lifted Payne's one-game suspension Monday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
EDGE Analysis
Payne was unsuccessful in his appeal of a one-game suspension stemming from his actions during the Commanders' Week 10 loss against the Lions, when he punched Amon-Ra St. Brown. Payne sat out of Sunday's overtime loss to the Dolphins, and with the Commanders on a bye Week 12, his next opportunity to play is Week 13 against the Broncos on Sunday, Nov. 30.

OUTDaron Payne
IL/DT WAS (12)
Tue 11/11/25 3:51 PM1 Comment

Payne's one-game suspension was upheld on appeal Monday, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.
EDGE Analysis
Payne was suspended one game for punching Amon-Ra St. Brown during the Commanders' loss to the Lions on Sunday. With Payne out for Week 11 against the Dolphins in Madrid, look for Eddie Goldman, Jer'Zhan Newton and Sheldon Day to see increased playing time up front on the defensive line.

OUTDaron Payne
IL/DT WAS (12)
Mon 11/10/25 5:32 PM

Payne will appeal his one-game suspension, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Payne was hit with a one-game suspension after he threw a punch at Amon-Ra St. Brown during Washington's blowout loss to the Lions on Sunday. Payne was ejected from the contest and will not be permitted to travel with the team to Madrid, Spain for Sunday's game against the Dolphins unless he wins his appeal.

OUTDaron Payne
IL/DT WAS (12)
Mon 11/10/25 11:09 AM

Payne has been suspended one game for punching Amon-Ra St. Brown during Sunday's loss against Detroit, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
EDGE Analysis
After being disqualified from Sunday's game for unsportsmanlike conduct, Payne will serve a one-game suspension. The one-time Pro Bowler will not be able to suit up in next week's game in Madrid against the Dolphins. It is still unclear if he will appeal the suspension.

OUTDaron Payne
IL/DT WAS (12)
Mon 10/27/25 6:57 PM

Payne (toe) is active for Monday's game against the Chiefs.
EDGE Analysis
Payne was unable to practice all week due to a toe injury. Despite the lack of on-field reps during Week 8 prep, the veteran defensive tackle has been cleared to play in Monday night's game after going through pregame warmups. It's possible that Payne operates on a snap count, which would mean more rotational snaps at defensive tackle would be available for the likes of Jer'Zhan Newton, Sheldon Day and Eddie Goldman. Payne has 26 tackles (11 solo), including 1.0 sacks, five pass defenses and one forced fumble through seven regular-season games.

OUTDaron Payne
IL/DT WAS (12)
Sat 10/25/25 5:33 PM

Payne (toe) is questionable to play against the Chiefs on Monday Night Football.
EDGE Analysis
Payne didn't practice at all this week due to a toe injury. He's been deemed questionable to face Kansas City, and head coach Dan Quinn said Saturday, "He is dealing with a toe that's bothered him. So just kind of working through that to get him into that spot but I'll know more over the next day and a half," per JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington. If Payne isn't able to give it a go Monday, Eddie Goldman could be in line for more snaps at defensive tackle.

OUTDaron Payne
IL/DT WAS (12)
Fri 6/6/25 3:17 PM

Payne (knee/finger) has been participating in OTAs, Zach Selby of the Commanders' official site reports.
EDGE Analysis
Payne was unable to participate in Washington's NFC Championship Game loss to the Eagles, but he has recovered from his injuries ahead of the 2025 campaign. The defensive tackle has drawn praise from Washington's coaching staff for his leadership in the offseason, and Payne projects to be an important piece of the defense after recording 4.0 sacks in the 2024 regular season.

OUTDaron Payne
IL/DT WAS (12)
Sat 2/1/25 2:45 PM

Payne (knee/finger) recorded 42 tackles (22 solo), including 4.0 sacks, along with two pass defenses over 17 regular-season games in 2024.
EDGE Analysis
Though Payne continued to play a key role as a starter on Washington's defensive line, he was subbed out more often than in previous campaigns and logged a career-low 702 defensive snaps. Not surprisingly, his production consequently dropped, as his tackle total was also a career low. Nonetheless, Payne matched the 4.0 sacks he recorded last year. During the playoffs, the usually durable Payne was unable to stay healthy, as he suffered a finger injury in the wild-card round, then hurt his knee in the divisional round and didn't suit up for the NFC Championship Game versus Philadelphia. Payne will likely be recovered by the start of training camp, and unless Washington decides to part ways with him, he's expected to again be a key piece of the team's defense in 2025, when he'll be in the third year of the four-year extension he signed in March of 2023.