Delvin Breaux Has Fractured Fibula, Doctors Reportedly Fired for Misdiagnosis

New Orleans Saints defensive back Delvin Breaux has a fractured fibula but was initially diagnosed with a contusion. The misdiagnosis reportedly led to the firing of two team orthopedists. 

Mike Triplett of ESPN.com reported the news Wednesday, noting the Saints fired Deryk Jones and Misty Suri. Breaux's injury will require surgery, and Saints head coach Sean Payton announced Wednesday that the cornerback will be out for six weeks. 

“The initial diagnosis was a negative when they looked at the scans," Payton said of the misdiagnosis in a transcript provided to CNN. "They certainly X-rayed, did a CT Scan and there was nothing that they were able to see. Then gradually throughout the two-week period, it became more clear. Fortunately, the other day in the second opinion, he was able to see something more significant and that’s a setback. Obviously, it’s disappointing for him but more importantly something that slowed down the progress.”

Triplett noted New Orleans was previously frustrated the 27-year-old wasn't recovering at the expected rate and "had an issue with Breaux's string of nagging injuries in the past." However, Triplett described the misdiagnosis case as "different" and pointed out the Saints aren't as likely either to trade or release Breaux in the immediate aftermath.

Former Saints cornerback Keenan Lewis commented on the move to part ways with the doctors, via John Hendrix of WDSU:

James Parks of 247Sports reported Lewis previously said he "felt pressure to return from his hip injury last summer prior to being released, adding that he felt the issue was worse than the Saints’ medical team had let on."

The LSU product appeared in all 16 games during the 2015 campaign, notching three interceptions, 19 passes defended and 45 combined tackles, per ESPN.com.

He couldn't replicate his success last year in part because he played just six games. He finished the year with a mere one pass defended and zero interceptions for a Saints secondary that was dead last in the league in passing yards allowed per game.

The cornerback combination of Ken Crawley, P.J. Williams and Damian Swann will likely be asked to shoulder more of the load until Breaux is ready to return from an injury that is more severe than initially thought.