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Before Daron Payne suffered a season-ending injury, the Commanders were in trade talks

Washington had been engaged in discussions with other clubs regarding a potential deal for defensive tackle Daron Payne before he sustained a season-ending foot injury during a recent practice session. The 2018 first-round selection is currently playing in the final year of his deal, and the team has now missed the chance to secure assets for his departure or shed his $16.4 million base salary for 2026.

This situation serves as a stark reminder that the official league trade cutoff is not the only critical date for front offices. Any practice or game participation carries the risk of an injury that can instantly eliminate a player's market value.

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