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NEW ORLEANS -- Jonathan Vilma, Scott Fujita and Will Smith are back in the NFL. Eric Decker Youth Jersey . For now. The suspensions of those players, plus unsigned free agent Anthony Hargrove, for their roles in New Orleans pay-for-pain bounty scandal were lifted Friday by a three-member appeals panel. The league reinstated them all a few minutes later. The Saints Smith and Fujita, now with the Cleveland Browns, probably will play in Sundays season openers. Vilma can at least rejoin teammates and coaches in New Orleans -- and get paid -- even if the linebacker is not yet ready to play because of knee problems. And Hargrove can start talking to NFL teams about giving him another shot, after he was cut by the Green Bay Packers. Still, theres no telling how long the reprieve will last. Coming just two days before the first full slate of NFL games this season, the ruling is a setback for Commissioner Roger Goodell and the league. But while the decision allows the players to rejoin their teams, it does not permanently void their suspensions. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Goodell would "make an expedited determination of the discipline imposed" for violating the leagues bounty rule. "Until that determination is made, the four players are reinstated and eligible to play starting this weekend," Aiello said. Vilma, who had been suspended the whole season, tweeted: "Victory is mine!!!! -stewie griffin" Added Fujita: "Im overwhelmed with all the support. Thank you so much everyone. Cant tell you how much it means to me." The ruling does not affect New Orleans coach Sean Payton, suspended for the season, interim coach Joe Vitt (six games) or general manager Mickey Loomis (eight games). While the panel did not address the merits of the NFLs bounty investigation, it found that Goodell overstepped his authority in hearing the players appeals of their punishments for participating in the Saints bounty program, which paid cash bonuses for hits that injured opponents. The panels decision states that Special Master Stephen Burbank, not Goodell, should discipline players for receiving money from a pool that paid for big plays. Goodells role, the panel said, should be limited to whether he can prove the players intended to injure opponents, which would fall in the category of conduct detrimental to the game. Players and coaches implicated in the bounty pool have testified under oath in a related federal court case they never intended to injure opposing players. "Whether the commissioner tries to readdress the situation or not is his call," said Peter Ginsberg, Vilmas attorney. "We are certainly hoping the appeals board has made it clear the commissioner tried to grab jurisdiction and impose penalties over an area he does not have oversight. ... The factual record in the court makes it clear he has acted in a biased and inappropriate manner." In a memo sent to all 32 NFL teams after the ruling and obtained by AP, NFL legal counsel Jeff Pash emphasized that "nothing in todays decision contradicts any of the facts found in the investigation into this matter, or absolves any player of responsibility for conduct detrimental. Nor does the decision in any way suggest what discipline would be appropriate for conduct that lies within the authority of the Commissioner." The leagues investigation found that Saints coaches and players, led by former defensive co-ordinator Gregg Williams, ran a program from 2009-11 that offered cash payouts for hits that injured opponents. It said specific bounties were placed on quarterbacks Kurt Warner and Brett Favre in the 2009-10 playoffs. The Saints open their season at home against Washington on Sunday, while the Browns host Philadelphia. The NFL granted roster exemptions to the Saints for both of their suspended players and to the Browns for Fujita, meaning New Orleans could carry up to 55 players and Cleveland 54. Earlier this week, Saints interim head coach Aaron Kromer said Smith, who participated in training camp and the preseason before he began serving his four-game suspension on Monday, would be ready to play against Washington if available. Vilmas status was not as clear. His season-long suspension began before training camp and he has been trying to work his way back from off-season surgery on his left knee. Saints players had just finished practice when they received word of the panels ruling. "Its huge," said Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins, a defensive captain. "Those are two huge leaders weve got. Theyre great players. Weve got a talented team, but you add Will Smith and Jonathan Vilma, our talent level goes up that much. For our team, its a break." Even if Vilma could not play right away, Jenkins said his presence in the locker room and meetings would be valuable. At Browns headquarters, linebacker DQwell Jackson was sure the 33-year-old Fujita would be able to come back and have an immediate impact. "Im confident Scott has been keeping his conditioning up and he knows the system," Jackson said. "Hes got what 12 years in? Hell be fine. If hes able to come back there will be a lot of excitement in this locker room." Fujita was barred from Clevelands training facility this week, but he stayed in town and worked out on his own at nearby Baldwin Wallace University in the event the suspension was lifted. Fujita, who serves on the NFLPAs executive committee, had expressed confidence he would be on the field in Week 1. Hargrove, docked eight games, was released last month by Green Bay and is not currently with a team. The appeals panel consisted of retired federal Judge Fern Smith of San Francisco, retired federal Judge Richard Howell of New York, and Georgetown professor James Oldham. It met in New York last week to hear arguments from the NFL Players Association, which appealed Burbanks ruling that Goodell had the authority to hear and rule on the players appeals of their suspensions. NFL attorneys had asked the panel to affirm Burbanks ruling, but the panel sided in large part with the union. The decision likely means that consolidated federal lawsuits brought against the NFL by Vilma and the NFLPA on behalf of the other three players are likely on hold until Goodell reissues punishment. It also spared U.S. District Judge Ginger Berrigan from having to decide before Sunday on a temporary restraining order requested by the players. Demaryius Thomas Jersey . The draw is enough to move Canada into the quarter-finals. Canada fell behind after two first-half Swedish goals. Wesley Woodyard Jersey . The six-foot-four 296-pound lineman played 11 games this season, mainly as a backup and in short yardage situations. http://www.officialusbroncosshop.com/ryan-clady-jersey . Birnbacher finished the Pillerseetal course in 25 minutes 31.1 seconds to finish 0.4 seconds ahead of defending overall champion Martin Fourcade of France, who missed one target. Von Miller Camo Jersey . Tate is expected to miss 4-6 weeks and will be added to the one-game injury list. Prior to the MRI, the Stampeders feared that Tate may have required surgery and been out for the remainder of the season. Tom Jackson Jersey . Peralta hit a three-run homer in the second inning against Toronto left-hander Brett Cecil and hit a solo shot in the ninth against Joel Carreno. The victory snapped Detroits three-game losing streak, with the last two coming in Toronto, and ended the Blue Jays three-game surge.He took his time, but "King Kohei" has finally arrived. Kohei Uchimura won his first gold medal in the mens individual all-around at the London 2012 Olympic Games. The Japanese gymnasts relief was palpable when he nailed his last tumbling pass on floor, breaking into a rare smile as he looked around the stadium in disbelief. It is the first mens all-around title for Japan in 40 years. Marcel Nguyen of Germany won the silver medal, while  Danell Leyva of the United States claimed bronze. "I knew that I had to be perfect to win a medal," said Nguyen. "I didnt think I would be perfect. But Im happy I was perfect today." Rumours of a fallen king had surrounded Uchimura heading into the competition after his disastrous falls in training and the qualification round.  But, as CTVOlympics analyst Rod Black put it, "King Kong is off King Koheis back." The gymnastics superstar put the worlds doubts to rest as he took a victory lap around North Greenwich Arena, holdingg his head and Japans flag high. Von Miller Pink Jersey. "He looked like a different person today," said CTVOlympics gymnastics analyst and Athens 2004 gold medallist Kyle Shewfelt. "Today, he just looks like the best gymnast to ever live." Uchimura previously announced he planned to win five gold medals at London 2012, a goal he promptly lost sight of after failing to qualify for three apparatus finals, and having to settle for silver in the team final. Though he cannot win five, this all-around title puts Uchimura back in the gold mine. The three-time World Champion still has a shot at two other gold medals, in the floor exercise and parallel bars finals. "Ive been aiming for this for a long time and now I have achieved it. Its a dream," said Uchimura. "I have been World Champion in the all-around three times in a row, but this is a different feeling. The Olympics are only once in four years. "I have been waiting for this moment."  More to come.   ' ' '