The Washington Commanders vs. Detroit Lions game had plenty of drama, from Donald Trump getting booed to Commanders DT Darron Payne punching the Lions’ Amon-Ra St. Brown and getting ejected for it. Now, the NFL has brought the hammer down on Payne, announcing his suspension for one game and citing unsportsmanlike conduct as the main reason.
“During the second quarter, Payne was disqualified for striking Detroit’s Amon-Ra St. Brown, a violation of Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1, which applies to ‘any act which is contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship,’ including ‘throwing a punch, or a forearm,’ and Rule 12, Section 2, Article 14(d), which prohibits ‘striking, swinging at, or clubbing the head or neck of an opponent with the wrist(s), arm(s), elbow(s), or hand(s),’” the NFL statement read.
Here is the full announcement from the NFL https://t.co/GsAEXSuqJA pic.twitter.com/k5e73OHyW4
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 10, 2025
Getting suspended means that he will not get paid for that one game he will be missing, which will be the international game in Madrid against the Miami Dolphins next Sunday. Daron Payne is set to be paid s $19.56 million this season, and missing one game is slated to cost him around $1.087 million.
Per the NFL rules, he could still appeal that decision. If he does not or loses that appeal, he would not even be allowed to travel with the team to Spain in addition to losing over a million dollars for punching St. Brown.
Reports indicated that it was Payne who approached St. Brown and punched him in the helmet, leading to his ejection and eventual suspension. The Commanders were playing without star quarterback Jayden Daniels during that game, ultimately losing to the Lions 44-22.
Commanders DL Javon Kinlaw Claims St. Brown Punched Daron Payne First
Soon after the game, Commanders DL Javon Kinlaw rushed to Daron Payne’s aid, saying that it was St. Brown who initiated the fight and that Payne was only retaliating against the Lions star.
“Daron only retaliated because the refs literally saw the first punch. I don’t blame him for the way he reacted,” Kinlaw told NBC4 Washington after the game.
So far, however, no footage of St. Brown being the first to throw a punch has surfaced yet, with Kinlaw not being able to provide any evidence to back his claims. For now, the defensive lineman has stayed adamant that it was St, Brown who started the fight, not Payne.
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