The NFL suspended Washington Commanders’ defensive tackle Daron Payne for one game after he swung at Detroit Lions’ wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown during Sunday’s 44-22 loss at Northwest Stadium, the league announced Monday.
Payne was ejected from the game in the second quarter for unnecessary roughness and unsportsmanlike conduct following a touchdown by Lions’ running back Jahmyr Gibbs. Payne appeared to throw a punch at St. Brown — who was wearing a helmet — seemingly unprompted after the score.
The former first-round pick plans to appeal the suspension, according to a team source. The appeal will be heard by a former NFL player: Jordy Nelson, Derrick Brooks or Ramon Foster.
After the game, fellow Commanders’ lineman Javon Kinlaw said Payne was simply retaliating to a previous swing from St. Brown.
“The refs literally saw the first punch,” Kinlaw said. “I don’t blame him for the way he reacted, and tempers got to flying. I mean, it is what it is. It’s a physical game.”
The officials assigned an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty to Kinlaw on the subsequent point-after attempt after he made contact with a referee.
The frustration continued to grow for Washington’s defenders during the lopsided defeat. Safety Quan Martin was also flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct on a later extra point.
“It’s tough. Every week is kind of something different, so really just being able to stick together,” Martin said after Washington’s fifth consecutive loss. “The team, we talk about brotherhood. I think that’s when we become close through these hard times.”
The 3-7 Commanders fly to Madrid on Monday night to prepare for Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins (3-7).
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.