Saints WR Kawaan Baker suspended six games for PED violation

A young New Orleans Saints wide receiver who wasn't guaranteed a roster spot for the upcoming season at the beginning of training camp will now have to wait to play in meaningful games until later this fall. 

The Saints announced on Tuesday that receiver Kawaan Baker has been suspended without pay for the first six games of the 2022 campaign for a violation of the NFL's policy regarding the use of performance-enhancing substances. While Baker remains available for all preseason practices and contests, he won't be eligible to return to the Saints' active roster during the regular season until after they face the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 6. 

As Luke Johnson noted for Nola.com, the Saints initially acquired Baker via a seventh-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. The 23-year-old spent most of his rookie season on the New Orleans practice squad but appeared in two games. He recorded no offensive stats and logged 27 special teams snaps. 

Per Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk, Baker wouldn't count on the 53-man roster of the Saints until he can return after Week 6. For now, he'll look to build chemistry with quarterbacks Jameis Winston and Andy Dalton through August workouts unless his employer elects to move on following Tuesday's development.