The Washington Commanders are two practices into training camp, and the team has been without one of its star defensive tackles, Daron Payne. Payne missed the first two practices with what the team described as a “very minor” toe injury.
Payne is considered day-to-day.
On Thursday, Rivera echoed Payne’s toe injury is “very minor,” and they’ll remain patient on his recovery.
“A very minor thing,” Rivera said, per Ben Standig of The Athletic. “And again, it’s just something that, you know, [we] have to let the medicine take care of it.”
Surely missing any key starter such as Payne is alarming, especially on the first two days of camp. Yet, the team is downplaying the matter. For now, it’s nothing to freak out about.
It’s July, and there is plenty of time to shake off any minor ailment. Still, the Commanders’ faithful has to hope this toe issue doesn’t linger for long.
Payne is coming off his best NFL year. Last season he had career highs of 64 tackles, 11.5 sacks, and five pass defenses. He also had 20 QB hits and 25 pressures and got named to his first Pro Bowl.
The Commanders rewarded him for his breakout year, giving him a four-year, $90 million deal this offseason to return to the team, including $59 million guaranteed. Daron Payne will line up next to his Alabama brother Jonathan Allen. The two make arguably the best DT duo in the league.
Daron Payne knows the Commanders’ defensive scheme, missing time won’t hurt him in that manner. However, the longer he can’t practice, the less time he may have to work his way into football shape.
