(PhatzRadio / SI) —- A three-member appeals panel has overturned the player suspensions in the Saints bounty case. The panel overturned a ruling by NFL system arbiter Stephen Burbank that commissioner Roger Goodell was within his powers under the collective bargaining agreement to suspend four players for their alleged roles in a pay to injure system.

The suspensions are voided immediately, however the commissioner can reconsider discipline if — and only if — there is evidence of intent to injure beyond just a performance pool.

The league issued a statement saying, “Consistent with the panel’s decision, Commissioner Goodell will, as directed, make an expedited determination of the discipline imposed for violating the league’s pay-for-performance/bounty rule. Until that determination is made, the four players are reinstated and eligible to play starting this weekend.”

The decision — which was made by a panel comprised of retired federal Judge Fern Smith of San Francisco, retired federal Judge Richard Howell of New York, and Georgetown professor James Oldham — clears Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma, Browns linebacker Scott Fujita and Saints defensive end Will Smith to play this weekend if their teams desire.

Vilma had been suspended for the season, Smith for four games and Fujita for three games. Defensive end Anthony Hargrove, an unsigned free agent, had been suspended for eight games.

Shortly after the decision, Vilma wrote on Twitter: “Victory is mine!!!! -stewie griffin”

The panel’s decision does not apply to Saints coaches or management, meaning coach Sean Payton (2012 season), general manager Mickey Loomis (eight games) and assistant coach Joe Vitt (six games) still must serve out their discipline.

Members of the appeals panel did not speak publicly, but it’s likely they felt compelled to rule quickly after hearing the union’s argument last week. If it had waited beyond this week and ruled in favor of the players, it could have been argued that the players had been irreparably harmed. Not only would they have lost out on a Week 1 game check, but also their salaries would not have been guaranteed for the season. Salaries for vested veterans are guaranteed if they’re on the Week 1 roster.