The Saints are bracing for the worst for one of their best defensive linemen. Junior Galette was slated to meet with NFL officials in New York about his domestic violence arrest.
The domestic violence chargers were later dropped but the whole incident put Galette on the NFL's and Commissioner Rodger Goodell's radar. The New Orleans Saints have already sent a video of Galette hitting a woman with a belt during a brawl in 2013. This is likely going to be met with a suspension by the league offices. Domestic violence and violence against women is a hot button issue in society but infinitely magnified by the microcosm of society that is the NFL.
UPDATE: "Mike Triplett @MikeTriplett 7m7 minutes ago. @LyonsYellin and others reporting #Saints have released OLB Junior Galette, whose off-field issues outweighed his enormous contract."
Galette could be facing a 5 to 10 game suspension under the new player conduct policy especially since he is being investigated for multiple incidents. Without Galette the Saints would not be able to generate pressure from the middle of the defensive line.
Galette plays an outside linebacker but can be sent in to blitz from just about anywhere in Rob Ryan's complicated schemes. If the Saints lose Galette then his backups Kasim Edebali and Hau'oli Kikaha will look to handle most of the work. The Saints could also move former Cowboy Anthony Spencer to the left outside linebacker position and have Parys Haralson handle things on the right.
