By Moses Joshua 
Daron Payne suspended for historic NFL game in Spain following post-touchdown altercation with Amon-Ra St. Brown
Payne Suspended for Historic Spain Game
Washington Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne will miss the first-ever NFL game held in Spain after the league upheld his suspension following a scuffle in Week 10. The ruling comes after Payne punched Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown in the 44–22 defeat, resulting in an immediate ejection from the contest.
Per the suspension, Payne will also forfeit his game check for the matchup against the Miami Dolphins at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid. With a 2025 season salary of $19.56 million, this means Payne has lost over $1 million in earnings for the game.
Incident Sparks Controversy
The altercation occurred after Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs scored a touchdown in the second quarter to extend Detroit’s lead to 22–3. Shortly thereafter, Payne struck St. Brown, leading to multiple personal foul penalties for the Commanders.
“Only retaliated because the refs literally saw the first punch, and I don’t blame him for the way he reacted,” said fellow Commanders defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw.
Kinlaw himself was penalized later in the game for striking an official in protest, while safety Quay Martin was also flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct.
St. Brown offered his perspective on the exchange:
“So two plays before that we got in a little scuffle… Back and forth, whatever, this, that and the other, and then we end up scoring and I go up to him, I say a little something. Nothing crazy and then he decides to swing on me. I mean, it is what it is.”
Commanders Adjust Defensive Line for Week 11
Payne’s absence leaves a notable hole in Washington’s defensive front. The team will rely on Javon Kinlaw, Jer’Zhan Newton, Eddie Goldman, and Sheldon Day as their available defensive tackles for the primetime matchup in Spain. While the suspension is final, the Commanders maintain that Payne was acting in retaliation after initial contact from St. Brown.
The incident underscores the high emotions surrounding NFL games and the league’s strict enforcement policies, especially in historic international contests. For Payne and Washington, the focus now shifts to rebuilding discipline and adjusting personnel ahead of their Week 11 clash with Miami.