New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham was arrested on Friday night after experiencing a medical episode, the team announced Saturday.
He was reportedly arrested in Newport Beach, California, after exhibiting erratic behavior, per TMZ. After being evaluated by a doctor, the Saints believe Graham experienced a seizure.
TMZ has not obtained footage of the veteran tight end evading security officers before his arrest.
New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen provided an update on the veteran tight end over the weekend.
“You won’t see him tonight out here. He’s still really recovering,” Saints coach Dennis Allen said before Sunday’s preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers. “He’s still shaken up, but he’s actually in a pretty good spot. We’re thankful that medically it wasn’t more serious than it was. Yeah, I think he’s in a good spot. But we’re going to rest him tonight.”
Per TMZ, he was facing two misdemeanor charges of suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance and resisting, delaying, and obstructing a police officer.
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The Saints released a statement saying Graham had actually suffered a “medical episode” that caused him to be “disoriented.”
Graham is making his comeback into the league after sitting out the 2022 season, and he’s reunited with the franchise that selected him in the third round of the 2010 NFL draft.
The 36-year-old spent the first five years of his career in New Orleans before heading off with stints with the Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, and Chicago Bears. During his prime, he was once considered to be among the top tight ends in the league, earning five career Pro Bowl selections.
With new quarterback Derek Carr under center, the team has hopes Graham will help end a two-year skid of missing the playoffs.
Graham had 167 receiving yards and three touchdowns with the Bears in 2021. He did not play last season.
