ASHBURN, Va. -- The Washington Commanders ruled out defensive tackle Daron Payne, costing them a key part of their defense heading into the NFC Championship Game.
It also will make it harder to accomplish their main goal against Philadelphia Sunday: containing running back Saquon Barkley.
Payne played with a dislocated thumb in the first two playoff games, wins over Tampa Bay and Detroit.
But a knee injury caused him to miss practice all week. He was listed as questionable on the game status report Friday and was at best considered a game-time decision. But he was downgraded to out Saturday.
Payne has played in every game for Washington since the 2020 season. He has four sacks this season.
Barkley has run for a combined 296 yards and four touchdowns vs. Washington this season.
The Commanders won the second meeting, 36-33, in part because they held Barkley to 27 yards on 16 carries in the second half.
Without Payne, Washington will start rookie Jer'Zhan Newton alongside Jon Allen.
The Commanders did not have Allen available in either game vs. the Eagles. With him back they liked to use a three-tackle front at times with him, Newton and Payne. It's worked to stop the run.
Payne, a 2018 first-round pick, made the Pro Bowl in the 2022 season.
