Jake Haener suspension: All you need to know about Saints QB recent transgression

New Orleans Saints rookie QB Jake Haener suspended for violating NFL's drug policy, forfeiting $250,000 of his salary.

New Orleans Saints rookie quarterback Jake Haener has encountered a major setback at the beginning of his NFL career. Haener, a former player for Fresno State, has been suspended without pay for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing drugs.

As a result of his suspension, Haener will be unable to play in the first six games of the season. However, he will be eligible to return to the Saints' active roster on October 16, 2023. In addition to the suspension, Haener will also forfeit $250,000 of his $750,000 base salary for this year.

This suspension is just the latest in a series of drug-related infractions within the NFL. Haener himself addressed the situation in a statement on social media, expressing his surprise and confusion regarding the positive test. He claims that none of his supplements or prescribed medications contain any banned substances and that he would never intentionally cheat the game he loves. Nevertheless, he takes full responsibility for the failed test and apologizes to the Saints organization, his friends, and his family for any distractions caused by the suspension. Haener is disappointed to be away from the team but is determined to learn and grow from this experience, eagerly looking forward to rejoining the team as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, Haener's suspension poses a significant distraction for the Saints as they enter the 2023 season with hopes of making it to the postseason. The team had high expectations for Haener, hoping he would compete with Derek Carr and Jameis Winston in the Saints' quarterback room. However, the team has yet to release a statement regarding Haener's suspension.

Haener's case is not an isolated incident. In recent times, several other players have faced suspensions for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing drugs. One such example is Ronald Jones II, a running back for the Dallas Cowboys, who was suspended for the first two games of the upcoming regular season. While he can still participate in practices and team meetings, the Cowboys would have preferred to have him available, especially considering the uncertainty surrounding the fitness of Pro Bowler Tony Pollard.

Another player, Cam Robinson, a left tackle for the Jacksonville Jaguars, was suspended in June 2023 for violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy. Robinson is set to return to the Jaguars on October 2, 2023, but he will lose a significant amount of money due to the suspension. Furthermore, the suspension also voids the guarantee of his $16 million base salary for 2023.

Similarly, Bledsoe, a player for the Atlanta Falcons, was suspended for the first 17 weeks of the upcoming regular season for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances. This means that Bledsoe will only be able to make an impact if the Falcons manage to make it to the postseason. It is worth noting that this is Bledsoe's second suspension for PEDs, as he was also suspended for the first six games of the 2022 season.

Lastly, Sean Chandler, a former member of the Carolina Panthers, is set to serve a two-game suspension at the start of the 2023 NFL season for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances. Chandler's future in the NFL remains uncertain, as he did not receive a contract extension prior to the 2023 season.

These cases highlight the seriousness with which the NFL addresses violations of its policy on performance-enhancing substances. The league is committed to maintaining a level playing field and ensuring fair competition among its players. It serves as a reminder to all players to be cautious and aware of the substances they consume to avoid such suspensions and the negative consequences that come with them.

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