Key Player Absence: Daron Payne Out Against Eagles – What It Means for the Commanders

The Washington Commanders have a tough challenge ahead. They finished the regular season with a disappointing run defense ranking of No. 30. In their two playoff games, they allowed 302 rushing yards. Now, they face the Philadelphia Eagles, who have the NFL’s second-best rushing attack.

To make things worse, the Commanders will play without defensive tackle Daron Payne. He was dealing with a broken finger and knee injury, and was ruled out just before the game for an extra roster move.

Now, Washington must rely on Jonathan Allen, rookie Jer’Zhan Newton, Sheldon Day, Jalyn Holmes, and Carl Davis to step up against star running back Saquon Barkley. In their two meetings this season, Barkley has racked up 296 rushing yards and four touchdowns, and that’s with Payne on the field.

Some fans question Payne’s hefty salary, seeing his stats as underwhelming. While he had his best season in 2022, which led to a big contract worth $90 million, his overall impact goes beyond numbers. ESPN’s Bill Barnwell noted Payne’s importance to the run defense, emphasizing that he has been a key player.

It’s important to note that Jonathan Allen missed nine games this season due to a torn pec. This certainly affected their defensive stats. Allen and Newton will be starting, with Day, Davis, and Holmes rotating in. Both Day and Holmes have impressed since joining the team in October.

Even if Payne’s pass-rushing stats have dropped, he remains strong against the run. A first-round draft pick in 2018, this upcoming game will be just his second missed game in his career. The Commanders will definitely feel his absence.

As they prepare for this critical matchup, having everyone on deck is crucial. Washington has a tough battle ahead without one of their key defenders.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders will miss Daron Payne vs Eagles