It’s been a surprisingly eventful weekend for the Saints, one of six teams currently on bye. Looking to enforce its new, stricter policy on faking injuries (as detailed in a recent memo distributed to all 32 teams), the NFL made an example of the Saints Saturday, fining them $350,000 with additional penalties handed down to head coach Dennis Allen ($100,000), Cameron Jordan ($50,000) and position coach Ryan Nielson ($50,000) for their part in delaying Monday night’s game against the Buccaneers.
The team would later issue a response, adamantly denying the allegations, insisting Jordan has received around-the-clock treatment for his injury (since diagnosed as an “acute mid-foot sprain”), which required an MRI. The Saints plan to appeal the ruling and are confident the league’s fact-gathering process will absolve them of any wrongdoing.
Though the Saints were the ones singled out for it, teams have employed this strategy for years, frequently exaggerating—if not outright fabricating—injuries, particularly late in games when defenses are running on fumes. Jordan aroused suspicion by glancing at the Saints’ bench on fourth down, which the league interpreted as a deliberate stall tactic. The veteran pass-rusher would return to the field four plays later.
A similar play occurred Sunday when Bengals defensive back Jessie Bates comically fell to the ground, feigning injury so Cincinnati wouldn’t be penalized for a late substitution. Bates was also disciplined, fined $50,000 for his theatrics.
Jordan, who forced a fumble in the loss to Tampa Bay (a game that saw New Orleans squander a 13-point, fourth-quarter lead), called his fine “ridiculous,” echoing the Saints’ optimism that video evidence will exonerate him.
The Saints, who, at this point, would need a miracle (more accurately, several miracles) to win the division (0.7-percent playoff probability), will have this week’s bye to regroup before hosting the Falcons at Caesars Superdome in Week 15.
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