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Washington Commanders defensive lineman Daron Payne was ejected from Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions for throwing a punch at wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.
On Monday, the NFL suspended Payne for one game.
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Daron Payne #94 of the Washington Commanders leaves the field at halftime during an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Northwest Stadium on September 21, 2025 in Landover, Maryland. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
The incident occurred in the second quarter after Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs scored on a 13-yard run to give Detroit a 22-3 lead. Payne was seen pumping his fist and connecting with St. Brown after the play ended. Commanders defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw also received a penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct during the scuffle.
Fans were unhappy with Payne’s conduct on the field, suggesting that a Pro Bowler who has been in the league for eight years should know better than to throw any punches on the field. Additionally, they mocked the NFL veteran for punching a player who was wearing his helmet.
Kinlaw told reporters after the game that it was St. Brown who hit Payne first. In the NFL and most sports, it’s usually the second person who retaliates who gets punished.
“It’s bulls—, 100%,” Kinlaw said via NBC Sports Washington.
Washington Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne (94) stands on the field on the first day of minicamp at Commanders Park on June 10, 2025. (Geoff Burke/Imagn Images)
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Detroit made things look easy against Washington. The Lions took a 25-10 lead into halftime and never looked back. The Commanders were playing without Jayden Daniels, who suffered a gruesome non-pitching shoulder injury last week.
The Lions won the game 44-22 thanks to Jared Goff’s 320 passing yards and three touchdown passes. Gibbs had three total touchdowns – two rushing and one receiving. He also totaled 142 yards rushing.
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) calls a play at the line of scrimmage during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Landover, Maryland. (AP Photo/Stéphanie Scarbrough)
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Detroit improved to 6-3 on the year. Washington fell to 3-7.
