Commanders exclude defensive tackling Daron Payne vs. Eagles

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  • John Keim25. January 2025, 15:56 one

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      John Keim covers Washington Commanders for ESPN. He came to ESPN in 2013 after a stay at the Washington Post. He began covering the team in 1994 for Journal Newspapers and later for Washington Examiner. He has written/co -authored four books. You can also listen to him on ‘The John Keim Report’, which is sent on Espn Richmond Radio and follow him on Twitter @john_keim

Ashburn, va. – Washington Commanders excluded defensive tackling Daron Payne on Saturday, which cost them an important part of their defense heading into the NFC Championship match against the Philadelphia Eagles.

His absence will also make it more difficult to achieve Commanders’ main target against Philadelphia on Sunday: to contain Run Back Saquon Barkley.

Payne played with a staggered thumb in Commanders’ playoff victories over Tampa Bay and Detroit.

But he was sitting out training this week because of a knee injury. He was stated as questionable Friday and at best regarded a fight time decision. But he was prioritized on Saturday.

Payne has been playing in every Washington match since the 2020 season. He has four sacks this season.

Barkley has run in 296 yards and four touchdowns in two games against Washington this season.

Commander won the second meeting 36-33 partly because they held Barkley to 27 yards at 16 carries in the second half.

With Payne out, Washington will start rookie Jer’zhan Newton with Jon Allen.

Allen was not available in any of the matches against Eagles this season. When he was in a row, Commanders sometimes liked to use a three-tackle front with him, Newton and Payne. It has worked to stop the run.

Payne, a 2018 election in the first round, was selected for the Pro Bowl in the 2022 season.