NFL veteran defensive lineman suspended, mocked online for punching helmeted opponent

Washington Commanders antiaircraft lineman Daron Payne was ejected from Sunday’s crippled against the Detroit Lions for throwing a punch astatine wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.

On Monday, the NFL suspended Payne for 1 game.

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Daron Payne #94 of the Washington Commanders runs disconnected of the tract astatine halftime during an NFL shot crippled against the Las Vegas Raiders astatine Northwest Stadium connected Sept. 21, 2025 successful Landover, Maryland. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

The incidental occurred successful the 2nd 4th aft Lions moving backmost Jahmyr Gibbs scored connected a 13-yard tally to enactment Detroit up 22-3. Payne was seen swinging his fist and connecting with St. Brown aft the play was over. Commanders antiaircraft lineman Javon Kinlaw besides received a punishment for unsportsmanlike behaviour during the fracas.

Fans were upset with Payne’s behaviour connected the field, suggesting that a Pro Bowler who has been successful the league for 8 years should cognize amended than to propulsion a punch connected the field. Furthermore, they mocked the NFL seasoned for punching a subordinate who had his helmet on.

Kinlaw told reporters aft the crippled that it was St. Brown who deed Payne first. In the NFL, and astir sports, it’s usually the 2nd idiosyncratic who retaliates that gets the punishment.

"It’s bulls---, 100%," Kinlaw said, via NBC Sports Washington.

Washington Commanders antiaircraft tackle Daron Payne (94) stands connected the tract connected time 1 of minicamp astatine Commanders Park connected June 10, 2025. (Geoff Burke/Imagn Images)

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Detroit made it look casual against Washington. The Lions took a 25-10 pb into the halftime interruption and ne'er looked backmost from there. The Commanders were playing without Jayden Daniels, who suffered a gruesome wounded to his non-throwing enarthrosis past week.

The Lions won the crippled 44-22 down Jared Goff’s 320 passing yards and 3 touchdown passes. Gibbs had 3 full touchdowns – 2 rushing and 1 receiving. He besides had 142 rushing yards.

Detroit Lions backmost Jared Goff (16) calls a play connected the enactment of scrimmage during the archetypal fractional of an NFL shot crippled against the Washington Commanders Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, successful Landover, Maryland. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

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Detroit improved to 6-3 connected the year. Washington fell to 3-7.

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