The Washington Commanders will face off against their divisional rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles, at Lincoln Financial Field for the NFC Championship Game on Sunday afternoon. To have a chance at upsetting their division rival, Washingon’s 30th-ranked rushing defense, which has allowed 151 rushing yards per game this postseason, must contain Philadelphia’s 2nd-ranked rushing offense, led by Saquon Barkley, who has rushed for a staggering 324 yards this postseason. Sunday afternoon just got even more challenging for the Commanders with their Pro Bowl defensive tackle banged up.
The Washington Commanders Pro Bowl defensive tackle is dealing with two separate injuries
Daron Payne suffered a finger injury against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wild Card, which limited him to 18 (38%) defensive snaps. The Pro Bowl defensive tackle played against the Detroit Lions in the Divisional Round and played 37 (54%) defensive snaps but suffered a knee injury during the game. He did not practice on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, and the Commanders listed him as questionable.
The Commanders’ key Pro Bowl defender receives a devastating injury update for Sunday afternoon
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Washington Commanders have downgraded Daron Payne from questionable to out for the NFC Championship Game. Not having Payne available tomorrow is a huge loss for the Commanders’ defense, and containing Saquon Barkley just became even more challenging. Their Pro Bowl defensive tackle currently ranks third in run stops with 22 and second in run stop percentage on the team with 7%, per PFF.
#Commanders DR Daron Payne (knee/finger) has been downgraded to out vs the #Eagles.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 25, 2025
Who starts in his stead?
Jer’Zhan Newton will likely start, while the Commanders will also alternate him with Sheldon Day. Newton started 11 games when Jonathan Allen missed time with a partially torn pectoral muscle. Day, on the other hand, has been a bright spot for the defense, and he saw his role increase after they made Phidarian Mathis a healthy scratch and later waived him near the end of the season.
