Will NFL suspend Amon-Ra St. Brown? Video shows Lions WR throwing first punch at Commanders' Daron Payne
During Sunday's game between the Detroit Lions and the Washington Commanders, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Daron Payne were involved in an incident that resulted in a suspension for Payne.
In the first half, Payne was ejected for throwing a punch at St. Brown in between plays, and he was ultimately given a one-game suspension. However, Payne and other Commanders defenders argued that St. Brown was the one to incite the incident in the first place, and that Payne was just retaliating.
It turns out, Payne and his Washington teammates may have had a point. A new video shows St. Brown from earlier in the game throwing a punch at Payne after a play.
Here is the latest on the situation between St. Brown and Payne.
The NFL hasn't yet commented on St. Brown's portion of the incident, but it is possible that he faces discipline. During the NFL's statement regarding Payne's suspension, the league emphasized that it prohibits "striking, swinging at, or clubbing the head or neck of an opponent."
Here is the NFL statement: https://t.co/Ag4pCJPPpg pic.twitter.com/hfZjM3Ab1y
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 10, 2025
Typically, the NFL hands out fines from the previous week on Saturday, so that is likely the deadline for when the league will decide whether to punish St. Brown.
Amon-Ra St. Brown punch video
A new video shows Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown appearing to punch Payne a few plays before Payne retaliated. The incident occurred after a play ended, but St. Brown was not penalized for it.
Here’s the video of Amon-Ra St. Brown swinging on Daron Payne a few plays before Payne swung back and got ejected. This tells the other side of the story. pic.twitter.com/M7jUH9zcGr
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) November 11, 2025
Payne ultimately retaliated against St. Brown later in the game, but because it wasn't immediately after St. Brown's punch, the officials approached Payne's penalty as an isolated incident.
Here is the play that led to the NFL suspending Commanders DT Daron Payne one game for punching Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown. pic.twitter.com/Qftr78xO8G
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 10, 2025
MORE WEEK 11 NFL:
Why was Daron Payne ejected?
Commanders DT Daron Payne was ejected on Sunday against the Lions for winding up and throwing a punch at Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown in between plays. Payne was also given a one-game suspension for the incident.
Payne was called for unsportsmanlike conduct and was determined to have swung at St. Brown, which is illegal. However, Payne maintained that St. Brown attacked him first.
Daron Payne suspension
The NFL suspended Payne one game for punching St. Brown on Sunday.
Payne appealed the suspension, claiming St. Brown initiated the confrontation, but hearing officer Ramon Foster upheld Payne's one-game suspension.
Vikings and JJ McCarthy Still Trust Ryan Kelly Despite His Concussion
The Minnesota Vikings designated center Ryan Kelly for return from injured reserve by opening his practice window on Wednesday, a significant step forward in their careful approach to the 10th-year veteran's concussion history.
"He's got this infectious wise-man energy to him. Everyone just feels a lot more comfortable when he's around in pads, suited up," quarterback J.J. McCarthy said. "He's one of the leaders of this team."
The Vikings have three weeks to evaluate Kelly before they must decide whether to activate him or shut him down for the remainder of the season. Coach Kevin O'Connell, who made the cautious decision to place Kelly on injured reserve five games ago, said he handled his recent workouts well enough to justify the next step in the recovery process.
Kelly will wear a Guardian cap, the soft-shelled helmet pad that some players choose for extra protection, O'Connell said. After suffering multiple documented concussions during his time with the Indianapolis Colts, Kelly played the entire season opener in his Vikings debut before forced out of their Week 2 game and into the concussion protocol. Kelly was cleared to play in Week 4 but sidelined again before halftime.
"I wanted him to be banging down my office door, and he's getting pretty darn close to doing that," O'Connell said.
Blake Brandel made the switch from left guard to center and has started the last five games in place of Kelly, a two-time Pro Bowl pick.
McCarthy, meanwhile, wore a wrap on his throwing hand on Wednesday after hitting it on a helmet after following through on a pass in the third quarter of the last game. O'Connell said he didn't expect the bruising to affect his practice time this week despite the necessary treatment to address the pain and swelling.
"I definitely felt it for sure," McCarthy said. "But there's no excuses at all. You've got to find ways to adapt and make sure the ball gets to our receivers."
Quarterback Carson Wentz, who started five games while McCarthy was recovering from a sprained ankle, had surgery to repair a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder on Tuesday, O'Connell said.
Outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard, who left the last game with a shoulder injury, did not practice on Wednesday. O'Connell said he believes Greenard, who has not missed a game in two seasons with Minnesota, has a chance to play on Sunday.
