By Sunday 
The Washington Commanders’ season just took another ugly turn — and this one hits both the scoreboard and the wallet.
After a heated exchange turned physical in Sunday’s 44-22 loss to the Detroit Lions, defensive tackle Daron Payne earned himself a one-game suspension without pay. The NFL cited unsportsmanlike conduct after Payne struck Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown in the head/neck area, a clear violation under league rules.
That single swing is proving to be a bitter pill to swallow — not only for Payne, who’ll lose about $1.1 million in game checks, but for a Commanders squad that desperately needs stability amid a five-game skid.
The suspension sidelines Payne for Washington’s upcoming international matchup in Madrid against the Miami Dolphins on November 16. Unless an appeal overturns the decision, the team will be without one of its most experienced defensive anchors.
Teammate Javon Kinlaw later suggested St. Brown initiated contact first, but no video evidence has surfaced to support that claim. Meanwhile, Payne’s reputation takes another hit — a painful twist for a player once seen as a rock-solid Pro Bowler.
For head coach Dan Quinn, the timing couldn’t be worse. Washington’s defense has looked disjointed, the offense flat, and frustration is starting to spill into visible cracks on the field.
At this point, Payne’s outburst feels less like an isolated mistake and more like a symptom of a team unraveling.
One punch, one suspension, and one more bitter pill for a franchise that just can’t seem to find its footing.