The NFL playoffs are all about leaving everything on the field. This is a win-or-go-home situation. Nothing but maximum effort and supreme sacrifice will do.
Daron Payne was a prime example.
The Pro Bowl defensive tackle will be the first to admit he hasn't been at his best this season. Payne's production has dipped since getting a lucrative contract extension from the Washington Commanders during the 2023 offseason. Just when it looked like he was starting to build momentum at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wild Card round, injury struck.
Payne was spotted walking off the field in severe pain. He was holding his arm in real discomfort, which caused significant concern among the coaching staff and fanbase. The interior presence came back into the game, but his influence waned considerably.
The Commanders managed to get over the line after kicker Zane Gonzalez's doinked field goal dropped over the upright as time expired. That was a huge relief for all involved as Washington won its first playoff game in 19 years. It's not perfect and there are glaring holes to fill during the offseason, but this team always finds a way.
Commanders DT Daron Payne shares gruesome X-ray of dislocated finger
As for Payne? The former first-round pick out of Alabama revealed exactly what was troubling him during the contest. He dislocated his finger and had X-rays to prove it, which looked pretty gruesome upon further examination.
Daron Payne shared a picture of the X-Ray of his hand on IG. #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/kmJRQZHPFt
— Josh Taylor (@JoshTaylorFB) January 13, 2025
This inevitably left Commanders' fans feeling a little queasy. The fact Payne got it plugged back into the socket and returned to the field is a testament to his resolve and his willingness to help the team achieve their objective.
Payne didn't shine upon his return, but he tried valiantly. Getting hurt when he started the game relatively well was disappointing. Whether this injury is something that hinders his ability to contribute during Washington's divisional battle at the Detroit Lions remains to be seen, but there isn't much time to heal with the Saturday Night Football primetime stage looming.
The Commanders' defense cannot falter in the trenches against the Lions. They boast a potent offense and their offensive line can completely take over proceedings once early momentum is generated. Payne — and everyone else for that matter — must turn things up a notch to give themselves a fighting chance of being competitive.
They'll need to perform far better than they managed at the Buccaneers. Washington had difficulty stopping Tampa Bay's offense throughout. Had it not been for rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels controlling the clock and some costly mistakes in key moments, the result would have been different.
Payne fought through the pain barrier and then some looking at how far his finger came out of place. The production didn't match, but the commitment to the cause cannot be disputed.
That sort of thing won't go unnoticed by general manager Adam Peters when he assesses the roster once Washington's fairytale run ends.