New Orleans Saints deny faking injuries after receiving fine from NFL

Saturday, the NFL leveled a hefty punishment against the New Orleans Saints after alleging Cameron Jordan faked an injury on Monday Night Football this week. Shortly thereafter, the team responded with a poignant statement adamantly denying the allegation.

The NFL fined Jordan, head coach Dennis Allen, co-defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen and the team after Jordan took a knee in the third quarter. However, the Saints said Jordan suffered a diagnosed injury on the play, even getting an MRI the next day to prove it.

“The New Orleans Saints deny any allegations of purposefully delaying the game on Monday evening,” the statement read. “Defensive end Cameron Jordan felt foot pain following a third down play and sought medical attention. He entered the blue medical tent and was examined by the medical staff and following the exam 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.”

The league office felt Jordan faked the injury and fined him $50,000 Saturday for violating rules about stopping the game unnecessarily, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Additionally, the Saints were hit with a $350,000 fine, head coach Dennis Allen was fined $100,000 and co-defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen will have to pay a $50,000 fine. Those are all the minimum amounts, Pelissero said, citing a Dec. 2 memo.

Cincinnati Bengals safety Jessie Bates was also hit with a $50,000 fine for allegedly faking an injury, Pelissero tweeted, but he plans to appeal.

The Saints fell to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a miraculous game-winning drive by Tampa Bay quarterback Tom Brady. He took the Bucs 63 yards on 11 plays in more than two minutes before finding Rachaad White for the game-winning touchdown with three seconds left to play. The victory improved Tampa Bay to 6-6 overall this year and dropped the Saints to 4-9.