Payton-Jones started 26 games for Nebraska over the course of three seasons. As a junior, he had three interceptions, 10 pass breakups and 37 tackles, including three for loss and one sack and was named All-Big Ten honorable mention. Payton-Jones missed the first half of his senior season due to a knee injury.[1]
Payton-Jones signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent on April 28, 2018.[2] Payton-Jones failed to make the Lions' 53-man roster at the end of training camp and was waived by the team on September 1, 2018.[3]
On September 3, 2018, Payton-Jones was signed to the Arizona Cardinals practice squad.[4] Jones was promoted to the Cardinals' active roster on November 20, 2018.[5] Payton-Jones made his NFL debut on November 25, 2018 against the Los Angeles Chargers.[6] He was waived on November 27, 2018 and re-signed to the team's practice squad two days later.[7][8] He was promoted to the active roster on December 18, 2018.[9]
Payton-Jones made his first career start on September 22, 2019, against the Carolina Panthers.[10] Payton-Jones was waived by the Cardinals on October 9, 2019 and re-signed to the practice squad.[11] On November 8, 2019, Payton-Jones was promoted to the active roster.[12]
On September 5, 2020, Payton-Jones was waived during the final roster cuts.[13] He was re-signed to the practice squad a day later.[14]
On September 16, 2020, Payton-Jones was signed by the Detroit Lions off the Cardinals practice squad.[15] He was waived on October 17.[16] He was re-signed on October 21,[17] but waived again on October 24.[18]
Payton-Jones signed with the Tennessee Titans on April 23, 2021.[20] He was released on September 6, 2021 and re-signed to the practice squad.[21][22] He was promoted to the active roster on November 10, 2021.[23] He was waived on January 4, 2022 and re-signed to the practice squad.[24]