Washington Commanders defensive lineman Daron Payne has been handed a one-game suspension without pay by the NFL for unsportsmanlike conduct during Sunday’s defeat to the Detroit Lions.
Payne was flagged and ejected from the game in the second quarter after striking Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.
The league stated that Payne violated “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 Commanders (3-7) suffered their fifth consecutive loss on Sunday, a 44-22 setback that marked their fourth straight defeat by at least 21 points.
Following the game, Commanders defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw suggested officials observed St. Brown “hitting him first”, instigating Payne.
Payne has the option to appeal the suspension to one of the jointly appointed hearing officers.
Should the on-field discipline be upheld, he would be eligible to rejoin the Commanders’ active roster on Monday, 17 November, after the 16 November game in Madrid against the Miami Dolphins, which precedes Washington’s bye week.
The 28-year-old, a Pro Bowl selection in 2022, has recorded 30 tackles and one sack in 10 starts this season, his eighth with Washington since being drafted 13th overall in 2018. Payne has missed only one game in his career – Week 12 in 2019.
With Payne due to serve his suspension for the game against Miami Dolphins on 16 November, he is set to be available to play again when the Commanders host Denver Broncos on 1 December.
The Commanders have three more games after playing Denver Broncos before their Christmas Day fixture against Dallas Cowboys.
