Dec 22, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs the ball against Washington Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne (94) during the third quarter at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images
Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne has played in 118 of 120 career games since Washington selected him with the 13th overall pick in the 2018 draft. That includes 88 consecutive games through the Commanders' win over Detroit last week.
But Payne will not play on Sunday against the Eagles.
DT Daron Payne (knee/finger) has been downgraded to out https://t.co/Z3lgHgBwAY
The lineman's absence deals a huge blow to the Commanders' hopes of upsetting the Birds in the NFC Championship Game. Payne is one of Washington's highest-paid players, and generally considered one the best run-stoppers on a team that has struggled to stop the run.
Big loss for the Commanders.
On first-and-10 runs this year with Payne on the field, the Commanders had a 64.4% Success Rate on defense, which was about average.
Over 97 first-and-10 carries without Payne, that dropped to 51.6%, which was last in the league. https://t.co/IA8g2tvx6c
ESPN reports that rookie Jer'Zhan "Johnny" Newton will start in Payne's place. Newton, 22, is a second-round draft pick out of Illinois who many projected to be a first-rounder before he missed the combine due to surgery. He played well against the Eagles in Washington's Week 16 win, registering six total tackles, including three tackles for a loss.
Commanders rookie DT Johnny Newton with a big ole smile “s***, we get to play the Eagles again.” pic.twitter.com/hkHtFSXt4M
If Newton can't help slow down Saquon Barkley, Washington's defense could be in for a long day.
