Redskins 1st-rounder Payne out 2-3 weeks with ankle injury

Redskins defensive guard Daron Payne during an NFL practice session. (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP)

RICHMOND, Va. — Washington Redskins first-round pick Daron Payne is expected to miss two to three weeks because of an ankle injury.

Washington coach Jay Gruden says the defensive lineman out of Alabama was stepped on during practice Friday and will be in a walking boot for about a week. Gruden downplayed the setback Saturday, saying Payne is in great shape and already knows the defence.

Payne, the 13th overall pick, is a strong candidate to be the starting nose tackle.

This is the second consecutive year the Redskins have had a defensive lineman they drafted in the first round from Alabama go down with a foot injury. Jonathan Allen’s rookie year was cut short five games into last season because of a sprain.

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