Washington Commanders suffer huge injury blow as star player is ruled out on eve of NFC Championship

The Washington Commanders will be without starting defensive tackle Daron Payne for their NFC Championship showdown with the Philadelphia Eagles.

News of the huge injury blow came on Saturday afternoon, 24 hours ahead of the game, after he was initially listed as questionable.

Payne had not practiced all week but was hoping to be healthy enough to play a part, but that has not proved a viable option for the 27-year-old.

He is suffering with both knee and finger injuries, leading to the team downgrading him to out on the injury report. 

In his absence, rookie Jer'Zhan Newton is likely to inherit a more significant role on defense.

Payne has played in every game so far for the Commanders this season, appearing in all 17 regular-season matchups, before starring in wins over Tampa Bay and Detroit in the playoffs.

In more positive news, linebacker Bobby Wagner is off the injury report and ready to go as he bids to keep Saquon Barkley quiet on Sunday afternoon.

Wagner had missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday with an ankle injury, but has no injury designation heading into the weekend.

Elsewhere, quarterback Jeff Driskel (illness) and defensive end Javontae Jean-Baptiste (shoulder) are questionable. 

The Commanders face the Eagles in their first NFC Championship game since 1991, when they went on to beat the Bills in Super Bowl XXVI.

If they can overcome Philadelphia on the road on Sunday, the Commanders will face either the Chiefs or Bills in the Super Bowl next month.