BREAKING: The NFL has suspended New Orleans Saints head coach Darren Rizzi for three months following an investigation into…

The NFL has suspended New Orleans Saints head coach Darren Rizzi for three months following an investigation into

The NFL has suspended New Orleans Saints head coach Darren Rizzi for three months following an investigation into allegations surrounding his conduct during the 2024 season. The suspension is a result of Rizzi’s involvement in violating league policies related to player safety and ethical conduct.

According to the league’s statement, the incident occurred during a week of preparation prior to a critical regular-season game against the Atlanta Falcons. Rizzi, who serves as the Saints’ special teams coordinator and had been overseeing player development, was reportedly involved in a series of actions that compromised the integrity of the team’s coaching practices. Sources within the organization indicated that Rizzi had failed to follow the proper protocol for player injury management, which led to a compromised evaluation process for key athletes, most notably a key special teams player who had been dealing with an ongoing knee issue.

The NFL, in its review, determined that Rizzi knowingly ignored medical advice in order to expedite the return of a player to action, potentially placing that individual’s health in jeopardy. While Rizzi had previously maintained a reputation for professionalism, this incident drew scrutiny from league officials, who deemed it a violation of the NFL’s strict health and safety guidelines.

Rizzi has since expressed regret over the matter and apologized for his actions. “I deeply regret my actions and the way they impacted the team,” said Rizzi in a statement issued by the Saints. “I have learned a lot from this experience, and I will work diligently to regain the trust of my colleagues, players, and the fans.”

The suspension will sideline Rizzi for a significant portion of the season, and the Saints organization has indicated they will take additional steps to ensure such a violation does not occur again. During his absence, the Saints will rely on assistant coaches to handle Rizzi’s responsibilities.