NEW ORLEANS (AP) — While Jonathan Vilma, Scott Fujita and Will Smith are now all eligible to play after being reinstated by the NFL, it's still unclear if any will see action on Sunday.
The suspensions of the players, plus unsigned free agent Anthony Hargrove, for their roles in New Orleans' pay-for-pain bounty scandal were lifted Friday by a three-member appeals panel and they were reinstated by the league.
The Saints announced Saturday that Smith has been activated from the reserve/suspended list. The team placed Vilma on Exempt - Commissioner Permission. The move is an indicator that he won't play in New Orleans' season-opener against Washington.
Smith will be a game-time decision.
Cleveland could use Fujita in their game against Philadelphia, but it is still unclear if the Browns will activate the linebacker.
