Saints' Ingram skipping OTAs, Payton doesn't agree with decision

New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram has informed his coaching staff that he will not be attending OTAs and will return for mandatory minicamp in June.

The veteran's decision appears unrelated to the four-game suspension handed to him by the league on Tuesday for violating its performance-enhancing drug policy - one he is appealing. Nonetheless, his absence isn't sitting well with head coach Sean Payton.

"He and I spoke, so it wasn't a surprise to us that he's not here," Payton said to Mike Triplett of ESPN. "I don't agree with it. But it is optional, and that's his choice."

Ingram will instead be training independently in Florida.

He's entering the final year of his contract with the Saints and is due $4 million in base salary for the 2018 campaign.

The 28-year-old is coming off his best year as a pro, where he reached career highs in rushes (230), yards (1,124), and touchdowns (12), while making the Pro Bowl for the second time in his career.