The NFL has issued a punishment to Washington Commanders defender Daron Payne after he threw a punch at a Detroit Lions player.
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According to an update from the league, Payne must serve a one-game suspension without pay for this punch. He will miss this weekend's matchup with the Miami Dolphins, which takes place in Madrid. He will be eligible to return to the active roster on Monday, Nov. 17.
Payne has the ability to file an appeal and fight this one-game suspension as part of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. If he takes this path, he will present his case to one of three jointly appointed hearing officers — Derrick Brooks, Ramon Foster, or Jordy Nelson.
Daron Payne just randomly punching Amon Ra St Brown is sending me 😭 pic.twitter.com/Yr3OsTeIcF
— NFL Memes (@NFLHateMemes) November 9, 2025
Payne, a former first-round pick out of Alabama, stood in the middle of the field after Lions quarterback Jared Goff threw an incomplete pass toward receiver Isaac TeSlaa. As players began walking back toward their respective huddles, Payne suddenly turned and punched receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown in the side of the helmet.
The referees responded by ejecting Payne from the game. This marked the second penalty on the play as defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw jumped offside.
The camera angles did not show anything that led to this punch. St. Brown and Payne did not get in each other's faces, nor did they seem to have a heated altercation in the middle of the play. The Commanders defender seemingly just threw the punch.
Kinlaw actually provided a different take on the scenario. He spoke to media members after the game about multiple incidents, including his contact with a referee that led to an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
According to Kinlaw, the Lions receiver actually hit Payne first and set up the retaliatory punch. He said that the referees saw this first punch from St. Brown.
"Daron only retaliated because the refs literally saw the first punch, you know what I'm saying," Kinlaw said. "I don't blame him for the way he reacted, you know, and tempers got to flying. I mean, it is what it is. It's a physical game. S—- happens."
