Saints’ Vilma returns to playing field
New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma made his debut Sunday while appealing a suspension for his role in the team’s bounty program.
The ninth-year pro didn’t start but did get on the field throughout the opening half of the Saints’ game against Tampa Bay.
He pressured Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman on an incompletion that was nearly intercepted and got his hands on another pass .
Vilma, rehabbing his surgically repaired left knee, practiced for the first time Wednesday. He was moved from the physically unable to perform list to the 53-man roster Saturday.
The linebacker’s appeal hearing on a season-long suspension has been scheduled for Oct. 30.
Bills induct Polian to Wall of Fame
Bill Polian, the architect of the Buffalo Bills’ glory years in the early 1990s, became the 28th member of the Bills’ Wall of Fame at Orchard Park, N.Y., in a ceremony at halftime of their game against Tennessee.
Hired in 1986, Polian was the Bills’ general manager for seven seasons. During this time the Bills played in five AFC championships in six years, and went to four consecutive Super Bowls.
Chargers in sticky situation after loss
The NFL says it is looking into a report that the San Diego Chargers used a banned sticky substance during Monday night’s loss to Denver.
Fox Sports reported that during the game, an equipment manager came onto the field with an illegal substance on hand towels. Fox says one of the officials saw the towels and tried to confiscate the substance. Officials eventually recovered a skin colored or clear type of tape from the equipment manager.
Around the league
New Jersey State Police say a man has been critically hurt after falling more than 20 feet from an escalator as he exited MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., after the New York Giants and Washington Redskins game. … Colts’ coach Chuck Pagano has been released from an Indianapolis hospital where he has been receiving treatment since Sept. 26th after being diagnosed with leukemia. … Jacksonville RB Maurice Jones-Drew (left foot) and QB Blaine Gabbert (left shoulder) left the game against the Oakland Raiders in the first half with injuries. … Redskins’ TE Fred Davis tore his left Achilles tendon in the first half of a loss to the Giants and will miss the rest of the season.