Daron Payne wasn’t on the Washington Commanders’ injury report Wednesday or Thursday. He’s on it now. The defensive tackle was limited Friday with a foot injury and is questionable for Sunday night against the Eagles, according to the team’s game-status report.
Fellow defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw (knee) is already out after missing every practice this week. Payne “was added to the injury report today,” Nicki Jhabvala noted, which makes him the late scare of the week.
Washington also listed tight end John Bates (shoulder), receiver Treylon Burks (foot) and defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton (pectoral) as questionable.
Commanders’ defensive tackle depth gets tested
Payne and Kinlaw have each played all six games, and each has a sack and two tackles for loss. With Kinlaw out and Newton questionable too, three of Washington’s interior linemen are either out or uncertain against an Eagles team that still gets Saquon Barkley, who has no game status.
The timing is awkward for another reason. Payne’s expiring contract and $28 million cap figure have made him one of the Commanders’ likeliest trade chips before the Nov. 10 deadline, and a foot injury that lingers wouldn’t help that market. We’ve already looked at whether Washington will move him at all.
On offense, the news is better. Jayden Daniels (left elbow) and Stefon Diggs (hand/hamstring) were full participants Friday and carry no designation. Diggs leads the team with four touchdown catches, and he matters even more with Terry McLaurin out, as Dan Quinn already had to plan for. Burks, who has 152 yards and two touchdowns, is the receiver to watch if his foot holds up.
The 1-4-1 Commanders come out of the bye with an EPA edge in nine of 12 categories against Philadelphia, but most of that edge sits with Daniels and the offense. Whether Northwest Stadium sees Payne in the middle of the line Sunday night will say a lot about how long the defense can hold up its end.
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