Amon-Ra St. Brown Fined for Smacking Daron Payne in Video from Lions-Commanders

The NFL fined Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown $12,172 for smacking the helmet of Washington Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne.

Payne earned an ejection from Washington's 44-22 defeat to the Lions and is serving a one-game suspension for throwing a punch at St. Brown. He shared a video Tuesday on social media that showed St. Brown using an open hand to strike him in the facemask.

Immediately after the game, St. Brown said he and Payne had gotten into "a little scuffle" and exchanged words preceding the moment when Payne punched him. The three-time Pro Bowler omitted any mention of his contact to the lineman's helmet.

Commanders defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw contended St. Brown was effectively the instigator.

"Daron retaliated. The refs literally saw the first punch," he told reporters. "I don't blame him for the way he reacted. Tempers got to flaring."

St. Brown's fine probably won't satisfy Commanders players and their fans since the star wideout remains eligible to suit up for Sunday's matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Washington, on the other hand, will hope it can snap a five-game losing skid despite missing one of its most disruptive interior defenders. Kinlaw also received a $28,555 fine, stemming from when he made contact with a ref during the Lions game.