With the trade deadline approaching, speculation suggested the Washington Commanders might try to trade defensive tackle Daron Payne. However, that may have changed during Friday’s practice after he suffered a significant foot injury, which is expected to land him on injured reserve.
#Commanders standout DT Daron Payne suffered a significant foot injury today in practice that will knock him out for the foreseeable future and likely land him IR, sources tell me and @MikeGarafolo.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 30, 2026
Payne will undergo more evaluations tomorrow. But another tough blow for… pic.twitter.com/ENPd0FB1eV
Even if the Commanders were not going to trade Payne, this is a major blow to their defense. He was one of Washington’s best defenders with a sack, two tackles for loss,
and five quarterback hits. His best season was in 2022 when he had a career-high of 11.5 sacks, 64 total tackles, including 18 tackles for loss, 20 quarterback hits, and his first safety. That was also the only season he made the Pro Bowl.
Payne’s injury adds to Washington’s woes this season. Not only did quarterback Jayden Daniels miss time with a dislocated elbow, but Washington also has 17 players on IR, not including Payne. Other players on IR include wide receivers Terry McLaurin and Jaylin Lane, running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt, and linebacker Leo Chenal.
With Payne and Javon Kinlaw out for Washington’s Sunday Night Football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, 10-year veteran Deatrich Wise Jr is expected to jump into a larger role despite only playing in two games this year. Both teams need a win to try to stay relevant in the NFC East playoff picture.
This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Commanders star DT Daron Payne suffers significant foot injury
