Daron Payne of the Commanders Suffers Season-Ending Injury

Daron Payne, a defensive lineman for the Washington Commanders, has suffered a season-ending Jones fracture during practice on Friday, as reported by Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Following the injury, analysts Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo indicated that Payne would be sidelined for an extended period, likely resulting in his placement on injured reserve. The Commanders have chosen to let him complete the final year of his contract, making him a free agent next year.

At 29 years old, Payne was selected 13th overall in the 2018 NFL Draft from Alabama. He initially signed a four-year contract worth $14.418 million, which included an $8.566 million signing bonus. Washington exercised his fifth-year option for the 2022 season, valued at $8.53 million, and he later re-signed for four years at $90 million through 2026. This season, he has played in six games, recording 14 tackles, one sack, and a forced fumble.