The Washington Commanders face a significant challenge in their NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, as they will be without defensive tackle Daron Payne. Payne, a former standout from Shades Valley High School and Alabama, is sidelined due to knee and finger injuries. His absence breaks a streak of 88 consecutive starts and 93 games played, having started every game since the beginning of the 2020 season. Since being drafted in the first round in 2018, Payne has only missed one game.
With Payne out, second-round rookie Johnny Newton is expected to step in. Newton previously started 11 games this season when another former Alabama standout, Jonathan Allen, was injured. Allen has since returned, playing in Washington’s last four games.
The Commanders and Eagles will battle for a spot in Super Bowl LIX at 2 p.m. CST on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, with the game being televised on FOX. Later that day, the Buffalo Bills will take on the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game at 5:30 p.m. CST at Arrowhead Stadium, broadcast on CBS.
In preparation for their game, the Bills elevated former Alabama defensive back Kareem Jackson from their practice squad to active status. Jackson, in his 15th NFL season, has appeared in nine playoff games, all with the Houston Texans. He was brought up due to safety Taylor Rapp’s absence caused by back and hip injuries.
Similarly, the Chiefs elevated wide receiver Justyn Ross, another player with Alabama roots. Ross, a former Central-Phenix City star, will be eligible to play for the first time since November 10th, having previously participated in two back-to-back games in November, logging seven offensive snaps in each. This strategic move aims to bolster the Chiefs’ lineup for their crucial matchup against the Bills.
