Daron Payne ejection, explained: Why Commanders DT was kicked out of Week 10 game vs. Lions

Contributing Writer
Daron Payne ejection, explained: Why Commanders DT was kicked out of Week 10 game vs. Lions image

The Washington Commanders were at home in Week 10 to take on the Detroit Lions. Washington was considered the underdog both with its 3-6 record and the fact that starting quarterback Jayden Daniels was ruled out. 

Detroit came ready to play and got out to an early 14-3 lead. The Lions scored another touchdown in the second quarter to go up 21-3 at the time. Between the score and the extra point, chaos ensued for Washington. Linebacker Frankie Luvu and cornerback Trey Amos both picked up injuries, veteran defensive tackle Daron Payne was ejected and fellow defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw was assessed a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. 

Here is more on why Payne was ejected on Sunday against the Lions. 

MORE: Updated AFC, NFC playoff pictures after Week 10 upsets

Daron Payne ejection explained

Payne appeared to punch Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown after the Lions' third score of the game. A punch in a game is usually an automatic ejection, and seeing as it happened right in front of the referee, Payne was given the early exit. 

Kinlaw's penalty was also on a weird play. It appeared the referee was holding onto Kinlaw and pushing him back from the developing scrum after Payne's punch. The defensive tackle forcefully pushed the referee's arm off of him and it drew a flag.

After the game, Kinlaw said that he saw St. Brown hit Payne first, per The Athletic's Nicki Jhabvala. The defensive tackle said that Payne was caught retaliating and said it was some BS. 

In his postgame press conference, head coach Dan Quinn chopped up the ejection to frustrations boiling over. He said he addressed it at halftime and that the team has to work on channeling their frustration. Quinn was asked if the frustrations from losing were fracturing the team, to which he responded, "no."

MORE NFL WEEK 10:

Contributing Writer

News Correspondent