Washington Commanders defensive lineman Daron Payne has been handed a one-game suspension by the NFL after punching Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown during Sunday’s 44-22 defeat.

According to teammate Javon Kinlaw, Payne believes St. Brown provoked the altercation, and he has decided to appeal the league’s decision. Unless the appeal is successful, Payne will not be permitted to travel with the team to Madrid next week for their international matchup against the Miami Dolphins.

The scuffle happened in the second quarter following a 13-yard touchdown run by Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit’s third score of the game. Kinlaw defended his teammate, insisting that St. Brown struck first.“Yeah, the refs saw it too,” Kinlaw said. “Daron just reacted after being hit. Emotions were high — I can’t blame him.”

When asked about the incident, St. Brown admitted there had been tension between the two prior to the punch.“A couple plays earlier, we were going back and forth,” he explained. “After the touchdown, I said something to him — nothing major — and he swung on me. It happens.”

The All-Pro receiver ended the day with five catches for 58 yards and a touchdown, while Jared Goff led Detroit’s offense, completing 25 of 33 passes for 320 yards and three touchdowns.

Payne, 28, was drafted by Washington in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft out of Alabama. A Pro Bowler in 2022 with 11.5 sacks, he was also named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team in his debut season.

In its official statement, the NFL cited violations of Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1—which prohibits actions “contrary to the principles of sportsmanship,” such as throwing punches—and Rule 12, Section 2, Article 14(d), which bans striking or swinging at an opponent’s head or neck.

Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Payne’s appeal will be reviewed by one of three neutral arbitrators — Derrick Brooks, Ramon Foster, or Jordy Nelson — jointly appointed by the NFL and NFLPA to handle disciplinary disputes.