The NFL wasn't done punishing the Commanders after Daron Payne's controversial play against the Lions

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Josh Taylor | Last updated Nov 15, 2025 7:40 PM ET

The Washington Commanders lost to the Detroit Lions last week, and the biggest storyline ended up being about one play that dragged on all week.

We all saw Daron Payne get ejected for his right hook thrown at Lions' wide receiver Amon-Ra St.Brown, and it led to him being suspended for this week's game against the Miami Dolphins as well. St. Brown didn't get in trouble during the game for throwing the first punch, which he admitted to, and it was a domino effect for the rest of the game.

The punch was talked about all week, but the NFL wasn't done handing out fines for the game.

The NFL fined Javon Kinlaw for making contact with an official

Payne getting ejected was just the beginning, as defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw pushed a referee off of him the very next play after he was frustrated at how the game was being called. He voiced his frustrations after the game about how St. Brown threw the first punch and nothing was done about it, but you still can't make contact with an official and not expect consequences.

The NFL also fined Javon Kinlaw $28,555 for making contact with an official.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) November 15, 2025

Kinlaw is lucky he didn't get ejected as well, but the NFL wasn't letting him off the hook and issued a fine of $28,555 instead. Luckily, Kinlaw will be playing against the Dolphins with Payne out, and Johnny Newton will be starting next to him. The NFL also made sure to correct its mistake by fining St.Brown for his actions as well.

Amon-Ra St.Brown fined for first punch on Daron Payne

Even though nothing happened to St.Brown during the game with a referee right in front of the whole incident, the NFL made sure to correct itself by fining him for $12,172.

As a final piece of the #Lions-#Commanders skirmishes, the NFL fined Amon-Ra St. Brown $12,172 for unnecessary roughness for this shot at Daron Payne, who was suspended for retaliating with a punch after the TD a few plays later. pic.twitter.com/sUAGysn5pw
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) November 15, 2025

That seems like a very cheap fine, and St.Brown got off easy, as he could've easily been suspended as well for throwing a punch, but it didn't happen. St.Brown admitted on his podcast that he accidentally jabbed Payne in the face, which is as crazy as it sounds. It's time to put the whole incident in the past, and now everyone can, after the NFL handed out its fines for the week. The NFL also hit one undrafted rookie with a very hefty fine, though.

Ale Kaho was fined for a play in which he got hurt

Linebacker Ale Kaho has seen limited action this season, but he laid a massive hit on a kickoff return, which resulted in him getting a concussion, and he missed the rest of the game. The NFL added insult to injury with a massive $46,371 fine to an undrafted rookie who doesn't have a big contract to begin with.

The NFL fined the Commanders’ Ale Kaho $46,371 for unnecessary roughness for violating the lowering the helmet rule during last Sunday’s game against the Lions.
— MarkMaske (@MarkMaske) November 15, 2025

This story was originally reported by A to Z Sports on Nov 15, 2025, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add A to Z Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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