ASHBURN, Va. -- Washington Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne suffered a significant foot injury in practice Friday that likely will land him on injured reserve, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo.
The injury occurred during a team drill on a day that is considered a light practice. He'll undergo more tests Saturday, but initial X-rays showed significant damage, a team source told ESPN.
Depending on what the additional tests reveal, it's possible Payne, who's in the final year of his contract, will be done for the season.
It's yet another blow for the Commanders, who are 1-4-1 in a pivotal third season for coach Dan Quinn. They also will be without their other starting defensive end, Javon Kinlaw, for Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles (2-5) because of a knee injury.
Payne has been a longtime starter along Washington's defensive line since the organization drafted him with the No. 13 pick in 2018. He's their longest-tenured position player. He started every game between 2020 and 2024, missed only two games last season and has started every one this year.
Payne made the Pro Bowl in 2022 after recording a career-best 11.5 sacks. He has had a combined 11 sacks since that season and that was the only year he topped five.
But his strength has been playing the run.
Earlier Friday, Quinn said he valued Payne's "strength inside, his power, and oftentimes that's where he wins on whether it's pass rush or [tackles for a loss]. But some of the dirty work doesn't go in a stat, but you can definitely feel it."
Washington does have depth at defensive end with Deatrich Wise Jr. and Charles Omenihu.
It also opened the 21-day window this week on defensive end Jer'Zhan Newton, who tore a pectoral muscle in a preseason game vs. the Miami Dolphins on Aug. 14. He's listed as questionable for Sunday.
