Commanders Star Daron Payne Likely Headed to IR After Significant Foot Injury

Washington Commanders star Daron Payne is likely headed to injured reserve after suffering a significant foot injury during Friday's practice, according to ESPN's Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo. The defensive tackle will miss Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles and is expected to be sidelined for an extended period, with further evaluations set for Saturday. If Payne lands on injured reserve, he would miss at least four games, and ESPN noted that depending on how the tests shake out, he could end up missing the rest of the season. The 29-year-old was a late addition to Friday's injury report as a limited participant, and the news broke just hours later, another crushing blow for a Washington side sitting at 1-4-1 and likely to miss the postseason for a second straight year. The timing could hardly be worse. Payne, in the final season of a four-year, $90 million extension signed in 2023, had been Washington's most obvious trade chip ahead of the November 10 deadline, ranking sixth on ESPN's list of top trade candidates. He has 14 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble this season. With Javon Kinlaw already ruled out with a knee injury and Jer'Zhan Newton questionable, the Commanders' defensive line is suddenly desperately thin for a must-win divisional game.