Jimmy Graham arrested for suspected use of controlled substance after wandering in traffic
New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham is hoping to make a return to the NFL this season after a year away from football. That may be more difficult to do after he was reportedly arrested Friday night.
According to TMZ, Graham was arrested on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance.
TMZ reports Graham had been wandering in traffic near a resort in Southern California prior to being arrested. Graham is also accused of resisting arrest.
Graham has since been released, according to TMZ.
Graham and the Saints have been in California this week ahead of Sunday night’s preseason matchup between the Chargers and New Orleans. The two teams held joint practices this week leading up to Sunday’s game.
Jimmy Graham, who attended Miami prior to beginning his NFL career, was drafted by the Saints in the third round of the 2010 NFL draft. He has also played for the Seahawks, Packers and Bears.
Graham sat out during the 2022 season, before signing with New Orleans in July on a one-year deal. It remains to be seen how his arrest might impact his future with the franchise.
Graham has been named an All-Pro twice, including earning first-team honors in 2013. He has also been selected to five Pro Bowls.
For his career, he has appeared in 184 games, while making 132 starts. He has accumulated more than 8,500 receiving yards and 85 touchdowns in his career.
New Orleans Saints sign RB Darrel Williams
In other Saints news, the organization signed former LSU running back Darrel Williams earlier this week.
Williams is entering his sixth season in the NFL, having spent four years in Kansas City and last season in Arizona. He’s had varying results, with his career output just topping 1,000 yards.
Initially undrafted out of LSU, Darrel Williams managed to carve a spot out on the Chiefs roster as a rookie in 2018, but he would only see 16 total touches while playing in six games in his rookie season.
His production gradually increased each of the next three years, leading to a 2021 season in which Williams logged 144 carries for 558 yards and six touchdowns. He also exploded as a reliable pass-catcher, snagging 47 passes for 452 yards and two touchdowns.
That versatility earned him a one-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals.
But Darrel Williams played in just six games in Arizona last season, tallying 111 total yards and scoring once.
He’ll hope for a bit of a career revival in New Orleans, nearby his college home at LSU. He’ll certainly have some early opportunities.