Pro Bowl defensive tackle Daron Payne suffered a season-ending Jones fracture at practice Friday, according to ESPN.This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners.If you sign up or place a wager, FOX News may be compensated.
This content was created by a team that works independently from the FOX newsroom.For the reeling Commanders, it’s a crushing blow.Payne has been an anchor on their defensive line since being drafted with the No.
13 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft out of Alabama.CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGEDaron Payne #94 of the Washington Commanders looks on against the Philadelphia Eagles prior to an NFL game at Lincoln Financial Field on Sept.13, 2026, in Philadelphia, Pa.
(Michael Owens/Getty Images)In six games this season, the Pro Bowl tackle has recorded 14 tackles and one sack.Across his nine-year career, Payne has 446 tackles and 38 sacks in 136 games.Payne has also been remarkably durable throughout his career; he has never missed more than two games in a season during his career and has played an entire season six times.Losing Payne for the rest of the season is a blow that the 1-4-1 Commanders might not be able to handle.
The Commanders were already yielding 28.7 points per game with him in the lineup, the second-worst mark in the NFL.Only the Arizona Cardinals have a worse scoring defense (29.7 points per game).THE CRAIG CARTON SHOW–UNFILTERED, UNAPOLOGETIC AND UNMISSABLE.
DOWNLOAD HIS DAILY PODCAST NOW!Washington Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne (94) chases New York Giants quarterback Jameis Winston (19) at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md., on Oct.11, 2026.
(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)One area in which the Commanders' defense was about average was against the run, as it allowed 100.5 rushing yards per game, good for 14th in the NFL.However, without Payne, that number will likely rise.The next three games for the Commanders will determine if they have a chance to rally in the weaken...