The Detroit Lions showed up to Landover, Md. looking to continue gaining ground on the Green Bay Packers. They did just that against a Jayden Daniels-less Washington Commanders team, picking up an easy 44-22 victory. The game was virtually over by halftime, as the Lions offense marched down the field at will with little fight from the Commanders defense.
Speaking of fight, one Commanders player was ejected for taking a swing at Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown after a Jahmyr Gibbs rushing touchdown. Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne approached St. Brown at the end of a first half play and punched the pass-catcher in the helmet. Payne's actions resulted in him getting ejected for the remainder of the game.
After the game, Commanders defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw accused St. Brown of punching Payne first, resulting in Payne retaliating and getting ejected. Kinlaw called Payne's ejection "some bulls***."
Javon Kinlaw accuses Amon-Ra St. Brown of punching Daron Payne first
"Daron only retaliated because the refs literally saw the first punch. I don't blame him for the way he reacted," said Kinlaw, h/t NBC4 Washington.
As of this writing, there is no footage of St. Brown throwing a punch at Payne before the defensive lineman punched the wide receiver. we'll likely get a better idea once the All-22 film is released. Kinlaw swears that St. Brown was the instigator and Payne retaliated.
St. Brown shared his side of the confrontation with Payne during the game while speaking with reporters.
"I mean, I think two plays before that, we got into a little scuffle, back and forth, whatever, this, that, and the other, and then we end up scoring, and I go up to him. I say a little something, nothing crazy, and then he decides to swing on me, so, I mean, it is what it is," said St. Brown, h/t The Athletic's Nicki Jhabvala.
Given that Payne was ejected, he is going to be the subject of NFL discipline.
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Kinlaw, meanwhile, earned a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for making contact with the referee.
St. Brown had a good game for the Lions, catching five-of-eight targets for 58 yards and a touchdown. On the year, St. Brown now has 64 receptions for 693 yards and eight touchdowns through nine games.
The Lions got the better of the Commanders on Sunday night. But the game will be in the spotlight in the coming days, especially if Payne gets punished by the NFL for punching St. Brown. Kinlaw says St. Brown punched Payne first, but the on-field officials saw otherwise.
UPDATE (Nov. 10): The NFL announced that they have suspended Payne for one game for punching St. Brown. It's unknown if Payne will appeal the suspension.
St. Brown received no discipline from the NFL.