Steelers S Damontae Kazee suspended for remainder of season

Damontae Kazee will miss the Steelers final three games and any potential playoff games.

Pittsburgh Steelers Damontae Kazee has been suspended for the remainder of the regular season and any potential playoff games per a memo sent out by the NFL. Kazee was ejected for a hit on Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. on Saturday.

Here is the statement from the NFL:

Damontae Kazee of the Pittsburgh Steelers has been suspended
without pay for the remainder of the regular season and any potential postseason games for repeated violations of playing rules intended to protect the health and safety of players, including during this Saturday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts

Here is a portion of the letter sent to Kazee from NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan:

“With 8:49 remaining in the 2nd quarter, you were involved in a play that the League considers a serious violation of the playing rules. The video of the play shows that you delivered a forcible blow to the head/neck area of Colts’ receiver Michael Pittman Jr., who was in a defenseless posture. You had an unobstructed path to your opponent and the illegal contact could have been avoided. Your actions were flagrant, and as a result, you were disqualified from the game.”

In his Monday press conference, head coach Mike Tomlin defended Kazee noting he is not a dirty player. Kazee definitely plays in that gray area and his history of plays like this contributed to this decision.

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Alabama forward Nick Pringle suspended indefinitely for conduct detrimental to team

On Friday, Alabama men’s basketball head coach Nate Oats confirmed that senior forward Nick Pringle was suspended indefinitely from the team for not upholding the standards set out for the team.

The Alabama men’s basketball team took a massive blow on Friday morning. During a press conference, Alabama head coach Nate Oats told reporters that senior forward Nick Pringle was suspended indefinitely from the team.

“Nothing serious off the court or anything,” Oats said. “In-house, just there’s a standard we want our guys to uphold, and he wasn’t upholding it. I still love Nick. Hopefully he can get himself figured out and be back with the team shortly.”

Pringle is in his second season with the Crimson Tide. The former JUCO standout has started in six of Alabama’s seven games this season. Pringle averaged 6.0 points per game, 4.4 rebounds per game, and 0.4 assists per game. He has also shot an impressive 81% from the field.

Pringle is a crucial piece to Alabama’s frontcourt. At 6-foot-10, Pringle can protect the rim and rebound at an elite level. He could very well be Alabama’s best rebounder and shot-blocker this season. Oats and the rest of the team would certainly love to welcome Pringle back. However, it remains unclear as to what his suspension will be and when he will return to the team at this time.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow the Alabama men’s basketball program.

Saints waive backup OL Tommy Kraemer to open a roster spot for Marcus Maye

The Saints waived backup offensive lineman Tommy Kraemer to open a roster spot for starting safety Marcus Maye, returning from suspension:

Someone had to leave the 53-man roster for the New Orleans Saints to reinstate starting free safety Marcus Maye, and they’re betting that backup offensive lineman Tommy Kraemer can clear the waiver wire and return to the practice squad. Kraemer was waived Monday upon Maye’s reinstatement from a three-game suspension, having been signed to the 53-man roster just a few days earlier.

Kraemer, who logged seven snaps at right tackle during Sunday’s blowout win over the New England Patriots in relief of Ryan Ramczyk, has spent most of his NFL career at guard. The Saints tried him out at both guard spots during training camp and preseason before re-signing him to their practice squad after final roster cuts. If he clears waivers, there’s a good chance he’ll return to the practice squad and be activated for future games.

Because Kraemer was signed to the active roster rather than activated as a game-day promotion, he still has three games of eligibility to be elevated later this season. That could prove important as the Saints continue to tweak their depth chart. But the first thing they need to worry about is seeing whether any other team claims him now that they have the opportunity.

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Marcus Maye reinstated to the Saints’ 53-man roster after serving 3-game suspension

Marcus Maye has been reinstated to the New Orleans Saints’ 53-man roster after serving his three-game suspension. Their secondary just got stronger:

Here’s a big addition to the New Orleans Saints defense: starting free safety Marcus Maye has been reinstated after serving his three-game suspension stemming from a 2021 DUI charge in Florida. The legal proceedings for his case were not concluded until the 2023 preseason, and the NFL has an established precedent of waiting for the legal process to wrap up before issuing its own discipline, so Maye had to wait two years and change teams before being sidelined.

But he’s back now. And he could help a unit that’s already playing at a high level reach even greater heights. Maye is one of seven Saints defenders with an interception this season, having plucked a deflected pass out of the air after cornerback Isaac Yiadom broke it up in the season opener. His return should strengthen an already-stout New Orleans secondary.

Expect the various responsibilities for players around him to revert to what they were prior to his suspension; rookie draft pick Jordan Howden will step back into his role as the team’s dime defensive back, with Johnathan Abram remaining on the practice squad after exhausting his three game-day activations. If the Saints want to continue playing Abram, they’ll have to sign him to the 53-man roster. Odds are strong that they’ll wait until they need him to do that with Maye back in the fold.

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Podcast: Derek Carr injury, Alvin Kamara’s return, Saints-Bucs preview

Podcast: Derek Carr injury, Alvin Kamara’s return, Saints-Bucs preview

The Saints Wire podcast is back with managing editor John Sigler (@john_siglerr) and our host Ryan O’Leary (@RyanOLearySMG). You can subscribe for new episodes released each week on Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle Podcasts or your podcast service of choice.

This week we’re breaking down the latest news on Derek Carr’s injury and considering what Alvin Kamara’s return to the team from a three-game suspension could achieve. Then we’re previewing Week 4’s matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the latest chapter in Mike Evans’ beef with Marshon Lattimore.

Follow the Saints Wire Podcast:
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Report: Saints bringing veteran safety Daniel Sorensen back to their practice squad

Report: Saints bringing veteran safety Daniel Sorensen back to their practice squad, adding experienced depth during Marcus Maye’s suspension

Look who’s back: TheScore’s Jordan Schultz reports that the New Orleans Saints are signing veteran safety Daniel Sorensen to their practice squad, adding depth at the position during Marcus Maye’s three-game suspension.

Sorensen signed with the Saints last year after spending his first eight years in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs, ultimately playing a heavier role on special teams (319 snaps) than on defense (164). Still, he tallied 25 tackles (15 solo) and intercepted a pair of passes while breaking up three others, so he made the most of his opportunities when he was on the field.

The Saints could use improved depth on the back end with Maye sidelined for the next two games. Right now their depth chart includes Tyrann Mathieu, Jordan Howden, Lonnie Johnson Jr., J.T. Gray, and Ugo Amadi on the 53-man roster with Johnathan Abram on the practice squad. Abram was called up for Week 3’s road game with the Green Bay Packers so it makes sense to bring in another experienced pro who knows what’s expected of him.

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Rookie safety Jordan Howden has a big opportunity during Marcus Maye’s suspension

Rookie safety Jordan Howden has a big opportunity during Marcus Maye’s suspension. The fifth-round pick can make his case for a long-term starting gig these next three weeks:

Rookie safety Jordan Howden has a big opportunity during Marcus Maye’s suspension. The New Orleans Saints’ fifth-round pick can make his case for a long-term starting gig these next three weeks, having already climbed the depth chart over the summer to earn a role in the team’s dime defense — the same spot P.J. Williams held down in recent years.

With Maye sidelined for upcoming games with the Green Bay Packers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New England Patriots, Howden makes the most sense given his success over the summer and his experience in a similar secondary at the college level with Minnesota. The Saints could also give veterans like Lonnie Johnson Jr. and Ugo Amadi a shot in Maye’s spot at free safety, but Howden should get an early look to see how he performs.

Maye has been a weak link in the secondary. He missed seven games with injuries last season and he’ll be gone for at least three matchups this year after serving his suspension. He leads the team in missed tackles right now (3, per Pro Football Focus charting). He has done a better job limiting big plays downfield than we saw from him last year, but he hasn’t done enough to be considered a permanent fix at free safety.

Certainly not on his contract. Maye will enter the final year of his contract in 2024 while carrying a $7 million base salary. When his deal expires in 2025 it will leave behind at least $6 million in dead money from past restructures. The Saints could release him with a post-June 1 designation in the offseason and save $7.5 million, though they wouldn’t get those salary cap resources until well after free agency and the 2024 draft. But it might be better than keeping him on the roster anyway with a good young backup waiting in the wings.

That’s what they should be finding out with Howden these next three games. Give the rookie these next 180-ish snaps to figure out what he can do, what he needs to work on, and whether he has what it takes to stay there once Maye is back in the lineup. Jordan Love, Baker Mayfield, and Mac Jones isn’t exactly an all-star lineup of quarterbacks. Hopefully Howden can take advantage of their vulnerabilities and make some plays to help the team — and his future with New Orleans.

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Saints S Marcus Maye suspended 3 games for violating NFL policy on substance abuse

The NFL suspended Saints S Marcus Maye three games for violating the league’s policy on substance abuse.

The NFL announced a three-game suspension of New Orleans Saints safety Marcus Maye for violating the league’s policy on substance abuse on Wednesday.

Maye, who has played a team-high 123 defensive snaps for the Saints over the first two weeks, will miss games against the Green Bay Packers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New England Patriots. He is eligible to return on Monday, Oct. 9 and can play again in Week 6 against the Houston Texans.

Over two games, Maye produced 13 tackles, one interception and 1.0 sack for the Saints defense, which is fifth in the NFL in points allowed entering Week 3.

Signed by the Saints in 2022, Maye played in 10 games for New Orleans last season. He is a starter with Tyrann Mathieu at safety.

The Saints could use rookie Jordan Howden, who has played 26 snaps over the first two weeks, as a replacement for Maye at safety. The Saints took Howden (Minnesota) in the fifth round out of 2023 draft.

Maye will join running back Alvin Kamara and quarterback Jake Haener on the team’s suspended list. Suspended players do not count against the 53-man roster limit.

Orange County DA: Jimmy Graham will not be charged following Aug. arrest

The Orange County district attorney’s office says Jimmy Graham will not be charged following his Aug. arrest in Southern California:

This is good to see. Citing a statement from the Orange County district attorney’s office, ESPN’s Katherine Terrell reports that New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham will not be charged following his Aug. 18 arrest in Southern California due to a lack of sufficient evidence.

Graham was taken into custody on suspicion of being under the influence of narcotics and obstructing police, but he was later admitted to a local hospital and treated by Saints team doctors who believe he suffered a seizure. Graham was short on details when asked about the incident this week but says he wants to put it behind him and focus on football.

“Thanks for LAPD and just how quickly kind of everything went down and kind of how helpful they were through the process,” Graham said Thursday after practice. “Right now, we’re just dealing with that all personally.”

Hopefully Graham’s health is in a better place and he can go out and be a productive member of the team. Because the charges against him have been dropped it’s unlikely he’ll face any NFL discipline after the incident. That’s a relief for the Saints who are already down two players (Alvin Kamara, suspended three games; and Jake Haener, suspended six) with a third possibly joining them (Marcus Maye, who could receive a three-game suspension of his own). We’ll see if anything develops on this front.

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Jake Haener suspension removes Saints’ advantage with QB3 loophole

Jake Haener suspension removes the Saints’ advantage with the QB3 loophole. Now they’re stuck working with it like every other team:

One ripple effect of the New Orleans Saints losing Jake Haener for the first six games: they’re stuck working with the NFL’s new QB3 rule like every other team rather than taking advantage of a loophole with Taysom Hill’s positional versatility.

The Saints recently changed Hill’s official listing from tight end to quarterback so they could exploit the rule change and have all four quarterback-eligible players dress out on game days.

Had Haener remained available, the Saints could have activated two quarterbacks (Carr and Winston) while keeping a third (Haener) in reserve as the third passer, with Hill also in the game, essentially saving a roster spot to get another backup quarterback. They can still do that without Haener but they’ll be formally activating Carr and Hill with Winston as the third passer. Which is what every other team is doing.

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