Saints’ Kenny Vaccaro drops appeal, will serve 4-game suspension

Head coach Sean Payton announced on Friday afternoon that the New Orleans Saints defense will be without a key contributor for the rest of the regular season. Safety Kenny Vaccaro has dropped his appeal, and starts his four-game suspension on Sunday per the Friday afternoon media conference.

Reports first emerged on Nov. 10 that Vaccaro was facing suspension for violating the NFL’s drug policy for using Adderall. It’s considered an anabolic agent or stimulant, which is why it is four games for the iron man of the Saints defense. Should Vaccaro get suspended a second time for this, he'd be looking at a 10-game ban which would and could carryover.

Vaccaro had the Saints pick up his fifth-year option for 2017, and is a prime candidate for a contract extension.

Payton also announced that tight end Josh Hill’s season is over after a fibula injury, and the team made a corresponding move by adding linebacker Travis Feeney from the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad.