Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne suffered a significant foot injury during Friday’s practice, which will send him to injured reserve, according to ESPN.
Payne will miss Sunday’s game against the Eagles and is expected to be sidelined for an extended period, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport.
Given that Payne is set to miss time, it will complicate the team’s plans ahead of the NFL trade deadline, where the 2022 Pro Bowler has been reported as a moving piece ahead of the Nov. 10 deadline.
If he does land on IR, it would mean Payne would be out for at least four weeks. ESPN noted that depending on how tests shake out, Payne could end up missing the rest of the season.
The 29-year-old’s injury comes as Washington sits 1-4-1 in the NFC East and is likely to miss the postseason for the second straight year.
Payne is in the final season of a four-year, $90 million contract extension signed in 2023.
He carries a $16.4 million base salary this season and is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in 2027.
Washington selected Payne with the 13th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
He earned his first Pro Bowl selection in 2022 after recording a career-high 11.5 sacks and has remained a regular starter along Washington’s defensive line.
Through six games this season, Payne has recorded 14 tackles, one forced fumble and one sack.
His durability had also been a significant part of his value. Before Friday’s injury, Payne had missed only three games during his nine-year NFL career.
In his career, all with Washington, Payne has 38 career sacks, 67 tackles for loss, eight forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries and an interception.
