The New Orleans Saints have put out a statement in which they reveal plans to appeal fines levied for intentionally delaying Monday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Defensive lineman Cameron Jordan was among players hit with fines for faking injuries in Week 13. Jordan attracted a $50,000 punishment, having pointed to his left leg while the Bucs were preparing to line up for a play on 4th & 10 during the third quarter. The player was seen looking at the Saints’ sideline right before the action.
He entered the medical tent, where he was taped up, then returned to finish the game.
ProFootballTalk has since reported that a source has told them certain camera angles show Jordan getting instructions from the sideline to go down.
The Saints Deny Purposely Delaying The Game
The Saints have apparently rejected the notion and, in an official statement posted on Saturday, knocked back allegations of purposely wasting time.
“The New Orleans Saints deny any allegations of purposefully delaying the game on Monday evening. Defensive end Cameron Jordan felt foot pain following a third down play and sought medical attention,” it reads.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NFL stories via Google! Follow Us
“He entered the blue medical tent and was examined by the medical staff and following the examination he was taped and able to finish the game. He had an MRI performed the following day in New Orleans and was confirmed that he suffered an acute mid-foot sprain in his left foot. He has been at the facility each day receiving treatment for his injury he suffered on the play. The Saints will appeal the fines through the proper channels and believe the allegations will be proved incorrect.”
Cameron Jordan Ranted About This All Day
Apart from Jordan’s fine, and according to the source, position coach Ryan Nielsen was fined $50,000 while coach Dennis Allen was fined $100,000, and the team was fined $350,000, amounting to a $500,000 total.
Jordan ranted about the fine in multiple tweets on Saturday.
If the Saints’ claims of being innocent of any wrongdoing are solid, it should be pretty easy for them to prove, especially given that they’ve mentioned an MRI and a specific injury. Should the accusations stick, it would really suck as they weren’t able to engineer a win in any case.
