The Washington Commanders will have to soldier on without one of their most reliable veterans.
Several reporters confirmed on Friday that defensive tackle Daron Payne suffered a major foot injury during practice. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Payne is expected to be sidelined “for the foreseeable future,” and he is likely to be placed on IR.
Payne is reportedly set to undergo further testing on Saturday.
#Commanders standout DT Daron Payne suffered a significant foot injury today in practice that will knock him out for the foreseeable future and likely land him IR, sources tell me and @MikeGarafolo. Payne will undergo more evaluations tomorrow. But another tough blow for Washington.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 30, 2026
Rapoport added that “there is a possibility” the injury could end Payne’s season.
Payne, Washington’s first-round selection in 2018, has been a steadying force on the team’s defensive line for the past decade. He has also been the picture of health up until this point.
Payne played in 136 of the Commanders’ 139 regular-season games dating back to his rookie season, including the first six games of the 2026 campaign.
The former Pro Bowler recorded a sack, 14 tackles, and 5 quarterback hits in his six games.
