Washington Commanders Lose Star Tackle Daron Payne For The Season

Sudden Practice Injury Ends Season

Washington Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne has suffered a season ending Jones fracture in his foot. The injury happened during practice on Friday. It took place late in a light session while the squad was running a team drill. Nobody stepped on his foot, and team staff described it as a fluke accident.

Payne will be placed on injured reserve. Medical experts explain that recovery from this type of foot injury can take up to four months. That means his season is officially over.

Defensive Line Shortage Against Eagles

This injury comes at a bad time for Washington as they get ready to play the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night. The Commanders enter the game with a 1-4-1 record, while the Eagles are 2-5.

Washington is already short on defensive linemen. Starting end Javon Kinlaw is out for Sunday because of a knee injury. The team still has veteran depth with Charles Omenihu and Deatrich Wise Jr. Defensive end Jer'Zhan Newton, who was a second round draft pick in 2024, returned to practice this week after tearing a pectoral muscle on August 14. He is listed as questionable for Sunday.

Payne Record And Future Status

Payne is the longest tenured position player on the team. Washington picked him in the first round of the 2018 draft, then signed him to a four year extension in March 2023. He has been a constant presence on the field, starting every game from 2020 to 2024 and the first six games this year. He only missed two games in 2025.

His best year was 2022, when he made the Pro Bowl with a career high 11 sacks. That was six more sacks than his second best season. This year, he had recorded one sack and was averaging 2.8 pass rush wins per game.

Payne is now in the final year of his current contract and turns 30 in May. His long term future with the Commanders is now uncertain.