New Orleans Saints Suspensions Overturned

Former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue is vacating the player suspensions in the New Orleans Saints bounty case.

The suspensions of Johnathan Vilma, Will Smith, Scott Fujita and Anthony Hargrove have all been overturned. Tagliabue was appointed by current NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to handle the second round of appeals after Goodell recused himself in the case.

The four players received varying suspensions in May for their roles in the pay-for-performance scandal that included cash bonuses for hits that knocked opponents out of games.

The initial suspensions were vacated by a collective bargaining appeals panel in September. Goodell then reimposed the suspensions in October with some modifications.

The players have been eligible to play while their cases have been under appeal a second time. (AP)