Commanders’ Daron Payne thrown out of game for on-field outburst

Daron Payne is set for a spell on the sideline after being ejected in the second quarter of Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions.

Payne, a defensive tackle, appeared to have a verbal exchange with Amon-Ra St. Brown after Detroit had notched a third touchdown of the first half. Out of nowhere, Payne lashed out at St. Brown with a right-handed punch and was swiftly given an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and ejected from the game.

At the time the Lions had a 20-3 lead and the team extended it to a 44-22 advantage by the end of play. The Commanders slip to a 3-7 record on the season and could well be without the experienced Payne for a few weeks.

Now in his eighth season in the NFL, Payne is an experienced head and a key part of the Commanders’ defensive line. He had never previously been ejected from a game but Sunday’s outburst will be a mark on his otherwise good record.

Speaking earlier in the week, Commanders head coach Dan Quinn had been full of praise for Payne and his positive impact on the team. Unfortunately for Washington, Quinn’s words were to prove sadly ironic.

“Daron Payne at his games going to be one of will, line of scrimmage game for sure. He’ll be right in the middle of it,” Quinn said.

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