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New Orleans Saints rookie quarterback Jake Haener has been suspended by the NFL for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy.
A fourth-round pick from Fresno State in the 2023 NFL Draft, Haener will face a suspension without pay for the first six games of the upcoming season.
The suspension means that Haener will be ineligible to participate in any games until October 16th when he becomes eligible to return to the Saints’ active roster.
In addition to the suspension, Haener will also forfeit $250,000 of his $750,000 base salary for this year.
In response to the suspension, Jake Haener issued a statement via social media, stating, “I recently learned that I tested positive for a substance banned by the NFL earlier this summer. I still do not know how the substance got into my body, as none of my supplements or prescribed medications contain the banned ingredient. I would never knowingly cheat the game that I love, however, I must take full responsibility for the failed test.
https://twitter.com/jakehaener10/status/1699544325162410130
Haener had been participating in team practices prior to the suspension announcement.
This suspension marks the second disciplinary action for the New Orleans Saints this season, as star running back Alvin Kamara is also serving a three-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.