The NFL has fined the New Orleans Saints, several of the team's coaches and defensive end Cameron Jordan more than half a million dollars for faking an injury during the team's loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on "Monday Night Football," sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Saturday.
The Saints were fined $350,000, coach Dennis Allen $100,000, co-defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen $50,000 and Jordan $50,000 for their roles in the fourth-quarter delay. All parties plan to appeal their fines, sources said.
"Most expensive fine to date from the @NFL came in yesterday... added stressor for no reason," Jordan tweeted Saturday morning.
In another tweet an hour later, Jordan wrote: "Agent told me bout it and initially I laughed and was like, that's ridiculous- clearly aggravated something. then he told me how much the fine was and I been irked since."
Most expensive fine to date from the @NFL came in yesterday... added stressor for no reason
— cameron jordan (@camjordan94) December 10, 2022
Agent told me bout it and initially I laughed and was like, that's ridiculous- clearly aggravated something. then he told me how much the fine was 😳😨 and I been irked since.
— cameron jordan (@camjordan94) December 10, 2022
The Saints denied the NFL's assertion in a statement Saturday while also detailing Jordan's alleged injury.
"The New Orleans Saints deny any allegations of purposefully delaying the game on Monday evening," the team said. "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 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."
The Buccaneers were facing third-and-17 while trailing 16-3 in the fourth quarter. Jordan rushed toward Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady and hit the ground as he tried to sack him. Jordan quickly got back up, walked a few steps, looked at the sideline and went down on one knee, appearing to point to his leg as Brady stayed on the field on fourth down.
Brady initially appeared to want to go for it on fourth down as Jordan left the field with athletic trainers and went to the sideline, but the Buccaneers ended up punting. Jordan went into the injury tent but reentered the game four plays into the Buccaneers' next offensive drive.
Jordan told ESPN that the injury in question was real and that he initially thought he could hobble off, but he took a knee when he felt like he couldn't push off his left foot. He said he felt OK later after getting up and walking off.
"Are fines made by nfl open to public? I just feel like this should be public knowledge,'" Jordan tweeted. "'Cause some of the fines are silly but this 1... ridiculous. Anyways & for what a 'deliberate action to delay game' before a tm punts? NFL just wanted a new patek aquanaut or summ... not off me."