Washington Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne will miss the remainder of the 2026 NFL season after suffering a Jones fracture, according to a report from ProFootball Talk on NBC Sports. The injury occurred recently and requires surgery that will sideline the Pro Bowl interior lineman for the rest of the campaign.
Payne, a key anchor of Washington's defensive line, has been a consistent presence since being drafted in the first round in 2018. The Jones fracture — a break at the base of the fifth metatarsal in the foot — typically requires a recovery timeline of several months, effectively ending his season in late October.
The loss of Payne represents a significant blow to the Commanders' defensive front, where he has paired with Jonathan Allen to form one of the league's top interior duos. Washington will need to rely on rotational depth at defensive tackle as they navigate the second half of the season without their starting nose tackle.
