The Washington Commanders were overwhelmed by the Detroit Lions in their Week 10 matchup, and the aftermath of a heated first-half confrontation has continued into the week.
The initial incident involved Lions wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown and Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne, whose scuffle led to Payne being tossed from the game. The league later added a one-game suspension for his role in the altercation. But Payne wasn’t the only Washington player punished after the blowout.
The NFL also fined two other Commanders defenders for separate violations during the game:
Javon Kinlaw was fined $28,555 for unsportsmanlike conduct after making contact with a referee late in the second quarter.
Ale Kaho, a rookie linebacker, was issued a $46,371 fine for an illegal helmet hit shortly after halftime. Kaho has already been penalized this season for a similar helmet-use violation against the Atlanta Falcons, which cost him $4,685.
A Season Quickly Unraveling
In total, Washington players racked up $74,926 in fines against Detroit, and Payne will miss next week’s game because of his suspension.
For a team that entered the year with expectations of competing deep into the postseason, the discipline has only magnified their struggles. Experienced players such as Payne and Kinlaw — both well into their NFL careers — are expected to avoid the types of penalties that have plagued the team.
The Commanders’ situation grew worse after multiple injuries to quarterback Jayden Daniels, whose absence has been a significant blow. With Washington sitting at 3–7, the season has taken a steep downturn.
Next up is an international showdown in Madrid, Spain, where they will face the Miami Dolphins (also 3–7). Washington brings one of the league’s weakest defenses into a matchup with a Miami offense that has been among the NFL’s most inconsistent. Payne will serve his suspension, while Kaho has been ruled out due to a concussion after missing practices throughout the week — raising speculation that his flagged hit may have contributed to the injury.
Will Jayden Daniels Return This Season?
The Commanders have avoided placing Daniels on injured reserve, keeping alive the possibility that he could return from the elbow dislocation he suffered on Sunday Night Football in Week 9. Fortunately for Washington, the injury did not involve ligament damage, and he won’t require surgery.
On ESPN’s SportsCenter, insider Jeremy Fowler reported that the team is taking a cautious, week-to-week approach.
