After taking a big hit on Friday, the Washington Commanders made a roster move Saturday.

Friday, starting defensive lineman Daron Payne suffered a broken foot in practice and is out for the remainder of the season. This means the Commanders will be without both Payne and Javon Kinlaw, their two best run defenders, when facing the Eagles on Sunday.

Therefore, on Saturday, the Commanders elevated defensive tackle Byron Cowart from the practice squad for Sunday night’s home game against the Eagles. With two options, the Commanders are going with Cowart over Ricky Barber, also on the practice squad.

Defensive lineman Jer’Zhan Newton had his 21-day practice window opened this week, but he apparently isn’t ready yet, as the Commanders have ruled him out for Sunday. This means the Commanders have 21 days to practice Newton without him counting against their 53-man roster. At the end of the 21 days, the Commanders will either activate Newton to the 53-man roster, or Newton will be placed on injured reserve for the remainder of the season. Newton, the third-year defender from Illinois, tore his pectoral muscle in training camp.

Cowart (6-3, 300) will be needed to help the Commanders’ interior defense against the run. Not only is this the first game action for Cowart in the 2026 season, but Cowart did not appear in an NFL game at all during the 2025 season either. He last played in a game in 2024, when he was with the Chicago Bears.