This time of year, every NFL team has several players battling various injuries, bumps, and bruises.
There are no exceptions; the truth is that some teams have more injuries than others. In the last two games, the Commanders have lost running back Austin Ekeler and wide receiver Noah Brown for the remainder of the regular season.
During his weekly Friday press conference, head coach Dan Quinn was asked if anyone would be listed as out or questionable for the game. Quinn responded, “Noah [Brown], and then yeah, we’ll have the rest of it later, but Noah will be the one.”
Actually, on Friday, there was one more name worth mentioning that Quinn did not say. Starting defensive tackle Daron Payne (injured back) did not practice, and he was, consequently, listed as “questionable” for Sunday’s game in New Orleans against the Saints.
Slightly injured players are most often given a day off/rest day earlier in the week. They then practice on Friday in preparation for the upcoming game. Consequently, Payne’s not practicing on Friday raises questions about Sunday.
The former Alabama DT had his best year in 2022 when he registered 64 tackles, 18 tackles for a loss, 11.5 QB sacks, and 20 QB hits. He was rewarded with a four-year deal in March of 2023.
In 2023, those numbers decreased to 53 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, four quarterback sacks, and 11 quarterback hits.
Thus far, Payne has played in all 13 games this season and recorded 33 tackles, three tackles for loss, three quarterback sacks, and five quarterback hits.
Brown was listed as “out” for the Saints game. The prevailing thought is that the Commanders will place Brown on injured reserve if they decide to make a roster addition on Saturday.
