New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton shoots down Ray Rice interest

Rice is free to play again after his indefinite suspension for assaulting his then-fianc e, and now wife, Janay in a hotel lift in February was overturned on Friday. The 27-year-old - formerly of the Baltimore Ravens - has reportedly attracted from at least four teams, with the Saints named as a potential suitor.

However, Payton was quick to play down any interest in Rice following Sunday's 35-32 win at the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"I think I would know if we were interested in signing any player, and so - but those are the Sunday splash reports," Payton told reporters.

"When you're in this business on Sunday, you gotta have something that everyone reads, regardless if it's truthful or not.

"Because last Sunday, what was it? You guys didn't even ask the question I was waiting [for] -- that we were hiding a player from the Denver Broncos, but that was another 'splash report.'.

"And so, we like our running back depth, and if you do a little research, Khiry [Robinson's] coming back next week. Any more 'splash reports'?"