Commanders Defensive Tackle Daron Payne Suffers Foot Injury, Headed to Injured Reserve

Washington Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne sustained a significant foot injury during practice on Friday, a development that is expected to place him on injured reserve, according to ESPN.

The injury will cause Payne to miss Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles and is projected to keep him sidelined for an extended period, NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported.

Payne's injury comes as a blow to the Commanders, who currently hold a 1-4-1 record in the NFC East and are facing a potential second consecutive postseason absence. The timing also complicates the team's approach to the NFL trade deadline, which is set for November 10. Payne, a 2022 Pro Bowl selection, had been considered a mobile asset ahead of the deadline.

If placed on injured reserve, Payne would be sidelined for a minimum of four weeks. ESPN indicated that further evaluations could determine if he might miss the remainder of the season.

Payne, 29, is in the final year of a four-year contract extension signed in 2023, carrying a $16.4 million base salary for the current season. He is slated to become an unrestricted free agent in 2027.

The Commanders drafted Payne with the 13th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. He earned his first Pro Bowl selection in 2022 after recording a career-high 11.5 sacks and has been a consistent starter on the defensive line. Through six games this season, Payne has registered 14 tackles, one forced fumble, and one sack.

Prior to Friday's injury, Payne had demonstrated considerable durability, having missed only three games throughout his nine-year NFL career.