The only player identified by name in the NFL's Wednesday sanctions against the Saints was MLB Jonathan Vilma. Vilma allegedly offered teammates $10,000 for anyone who knocked Brett Favre out of the 2009 NFC Championship Game. "While I will not address player conduct at this time," Roger Goodell said Wednesday, "I am profoundly troubled by the fact that players - including leaders among the defensive players - embraced this program so enthusiastically and participated with what appears to have been a deliberate lack of concern for the well-being of their fellow players." Expect Vilma to get a multi-game suspension, if not a full year.

The Saints have no plans to release MLB Jonathan Vilma, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune. Those plans could change with Vilma due $5.5 million. The Saints have brought a trio of free agent middle linebackers for visits, though they could have insurance in mind with Vilma potentially facing a lengthy suspension for his role in the bounty program.

The Saints could save $3.4 million in salary cap space by releasing MLB Jonathan Vilma. As beat writer Mike Triplett points out, Vilma's production dipped "noticeably" in 2011 while trying to play through a knee injury, and he may face a suspension for his role in the bounty scandal. The Saints are not in good cap condition. They may ask Vilma to take a cut from his $5.4 million salary at the very least.

SI's Peter King confirms the players involved in the Saints' "bounty" scandal will likely face disciplinary action. Thus far, most of the attention has focused on former Saints DC Gregg Williams, but many players will likely be in for at least a fine. The most serious offenders could be facing suspensions. If the league is able to confirm MLB Jonathan Vilma offered $10,000 "to the guy that knocks out Brett Favre" ahead of the 2010 NFC Championship Game, a multi-game ban could be in his future.

ESPN's John Clayton speculates that the Saints will face a hefty fine as well as the loss of "multiple draft choices" as league-imposed punishment for the 2009-2011 bounty scandal. Perhaps the most damning evidence against the Saints is that GM Mickey Loomis and coach Sean Payton knew about Gregg Williams' bounty system, and did nothing to prevent it. "I think it's gonna be a penalty that's gonna exceed SpyGate," Clayton said on SportsCenter. "I think you're probably gonna see the organization fined significantly, maybe close to $1 million. I think you're gonna see multiple draft choices taken away. ... Maybe a first-round pick next year and some other pick this year."

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the NFL has determined that MLB Jonathan Vilma was one of the primary culprits in the Saints' "pay for performance" bounty program that will result in NFL discipline. "In the week of the NFC Championship Game," Schefter said on NFL Live Friday, "Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma put $10,000 in cash on a table and said 'this goes to the guy that knocks out Brett Favre.'" Those weren't Vilma's exact words, but they were similar, according to Schefter, and he's sure to be atop the league's target list for impending discipline. It's worth nothing that Vilma is due $5.4 million in 2012 and has been discussed as a possible salary cap casualty. We wouldn't expect him back with the Saints.

Saints declared MLB Jonathan Vilma inactive for Sunday's Week 17 game against the Panthers. Vilma has a sore left knee, but would have played if this game meant more to the Saints. If the 49ers win in St. Louis today, the Saints will be locked into the No. 3 seed. The rest of the their inactives: RB Mark Ingram, WR Lance Moore, TE John Gilmore, TE Tory Humphrey, DE Jeff Charleston and S Malcolm Jenkins.

Saints MLB Jonathan Vilma earned a game ball in his first game back from knee surgery in Week 13. Vilma racked up a team-high 10 tackles in the win over the Lions after missing four games. The Saints were 4-0 with Jo-Lonn Dunbar at middle linebacker. He's moved back to the strong side with Vilma healthy.

Saints MLB Jonathan Vilma (knee) is expected to be active on Sunday against the Jaguars. Vilma turned in only limited practices this week after sitting out in Week 3, but HC Sean Payton said Friday he expects him to take the field in Jacksonville. Vilma will be tasked with slowing Maurice Jones-Drew, who is averaging 102.3 yards through his first three games.

According to NFL Network's Steve Wyche, Saints MLB Jonathan Vilma (knee) is out for Week 3 against the Texans. It's a nice matchup boost for Ben Tate, who will be seeing the majority of carries in place of the injured Arian Foster. As for Vilma, this latest setback has to be concerning given the veteran's history of knee issues. Jo-Lonn Dunbar will attempt to hold down the fort at middle linebacker in Vilma's absence.