Saints Reportedly Facing Major Discipline After More COVID Protocol Violations

The New Orleans Saints are in hot water again due to broken COVID-19 protocols. On Saturday, Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network tweeted out that the franchise was facing discipline after more violations. This will mark the third offense.

According to Pelissero, this could be the biggest COVID discipline yet.

The #Saints are facing the biggest discipline yet after the NFL discovered more COVID protocol violations, including surveillance video of an interaction that may have contributed to RB Alvin Kamara’s positive test in December. From me and @RapSheet: https://t.co/k8xIEs1S0T

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 7, 2021

The incident stems from a violation by Alvin Kamara that was captured on surveillance video prior to Week 17. The star running back reportedly interacted with a non-employee at the team facility, and that person later tested positive for COVID.

From there, we all remember what happened.

Kamara also tested positive, and that caused several of the team’s running backs to miss the Week 17 road game against the Carolina Panthers due to contact tracing and other high-risk factors. Apparently, the NFL isn’t taking the matter seriously.

The reason? This is the third offense for the Saints. The first two offenses included:

• Failing to properly wear face coverings in Week 2
• Maskless celebration following Week 9 victory

In total, New Orleans was fined $750,000 and lost a seventh-round draft pick, while head coach Sean Payton was fined $100,000 for his role. From the sounds of it, the punishment will likely look a lot worse this time around.

How is that sitting with Saints fans? Not good.

Bruh the #Saints can’t be the only team the #NFL can mess with. Geez!!!

— TJAY Jones (@stateofsaints) February 7, 2021

Filthy person you are @nflcommish #NFL #Saints #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/PnK2GvaaBw

— Gabriel (@ATLhasnoring) February 7, 2021

How u gonna strongly discipline the #Saints but let Pittsburgh, Tennessee, Baltimore, & whoever else, off the hook?

— ⚜️Q⚜️ (@_QTip) February 7, 2021

I’m livid. The @Saints were by far one of the best teams in handling the spreading of the virus. They did a phenomenal job and should be celebrated for everyone’s phenomenal hard work in doing so and keeping everyone safe. @nflcommish #saints

— Unit (@DatBigUnit) February 7, 2021

NFL is clearly just picking on the #Saints at this point, how you choose to discipline them but didn't do anything to teams like Pittsburgh, & whoever else had mass outbreaks? https://t.co/Oly4CZexgF

— ⚜️Q⚜️ (@_QTip) February 7, 2021

It should be noted that New Orleans only has three picks for the upcoming draft. That will change with compensatory picks, but the ammunition was already limited.

Follow Clint Lamb on Twitter @ClintRLamb.