Washington Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne is set to sit out for one game after the NFL suspended for his altercation with Detroit Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, as NBC Washington reported. The incident occurred during Washington’s 44-22 loss to Detroit on Sunday, where Payne was ejected in the second quarter for unsportsmanlike conduct, an infraction that the NFL states contravenes rules for general sportsmanship.
Payne's suspension means he will not take the field in the upcoming game in Spain against the Miami Dolphins, a consequence for his actions that violated two specific NFL rules pertaining to sportsmanship and prohibiting hitting an opponent in the head or neck area with certain parts of the arm, according to details from a statement released by the league which was cited by Fox Sports. The catalyst for the altercation wasn't immediately clear, even as a heated Payne noted post-game it was "some bulls---" and expressed his belief that the referees saw what he thought was a preceding hit from St. Brown.
While Payne’s teammate Javon Kinlaw suggested Payne only reacted to an initial punch from St. Brown, no video evidence has surfaced to support this claim, as Daily Snark pointed out. Kinlaw also faced a penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct himself in the wake of Payne's ejection, demonstrating tensions between the teams were running exceptionally high during the match.
St. Brown recounted the moments leading up to the punch stating, "I say a little something, nothing crazy, and then he decides to swing on me, so, I mean, it is what it is," according to an interview with Fox Sports; while this drama unfolded, the Commanders' loss pushed their record down to a disappointing 3-7 for the season, with Payne tallying 30 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble thus far, the ejection and now suspension adds yet another layer of complexity to the team’s struggling campaign.
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