LANDOVER, Md. -- Washington Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne was ejected in the second quarter of Sunday's 44-22 loss to the Lions after punching Detroit receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.
After Detroit scored its third touchdown of the first half, Payne slugged St. Brown with his right hand after a verbal exchange. He was given an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and an automatic ejection.
It marked the first time Payne, in his eighth season, has been ejected from a game.
Detroit succeeded on the 2-point conversion to take a 22-3 lead.
Washington defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw said after the game that St. Brown had punched Payne.
"Yeah for sure, and they (saw it), too," Kinlaw said of the refs. "It's some bulls---- . 100 percent.
"Daron retaliated. The refs literally saw the first punch. I don't blame him for the way he reacted. Tempers got to flaring."
St. Brown told reporters after he game that "two plays before that we got into a little scuffle, back and forth. 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."
Washington's defense has struggled all season -- in the past four weeks, the Commanders ranked 31st in the NFL in both yards and points allowed -- but its main strength was the interior of the defensive line led by Payne and Kinlaw. Payne's five tackles for a loss are third on the team.
Kinlaw earned an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty one play after Payne's ejection following the conversion.
Washington safety Quan Martin also was flagged on the next drive for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that he said was unwarranted.
"I'm not sure why I was flagged," Martin said. "I was pulled to the ground, kicked in the nuts and it was a flag on me. You could tell I was upset from being kicked in the nuts, intentionally, right in front of the refs."
