Payne came into the weekend listed as questionable but will ultimately miss the team’s NFC Championship game against the Eagles. The Commanders have struggled mightily against the run and will now be without one of their top run defenders on the interior of their defensive line. That could spell trouble against Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts after the two ran wild in both of these teams’ previous meetings this season.

Linebacker Bobby Wagner was removed from the report and will play. Payne did not practice at all this week, putting him on the wrong side of questionable heading into the weekend. However, with a Super Bowl berth on the line, he will be doing everything in his power to get on the field. Payne has four sacks and five TFLs this year.

Payne suffered his finger injury in the team’s wild card win over the Buccaneers. He was limited in two of three practices last week but appears to have picked up a knee injury in the divisional round win over the Lions. Back-to-back DNPs to open the week is a concerning sign for Payne’s availability, but the team could be exercising caution for their star tackle. We’ll see where things stand come Friday when the Commanders release their final injury report before the weekend.

This is a big blow for the Commanders. The 320-pound defensive tackle has 42 tackles, four sacks, and five tackles for a loss on the season while soaking up attention from blockers in the middle of the defensive line. Payne injured his finger early in the second quarter of the game and seemed to be in immense pain on the sideline. It would be a huge boost for the Tampa Bay running game if Payne can’t come back in.