Hannah Foslien/Getty Images(MOBILE, Ala.) -- New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton returned to work Wednesday, a day after NFL commissioner Roger Goodell reinstated him following his season-long ban for his role in the team’s bounty program.

The 49-year-old Payton attended practice at the Senior Bowl as the team prepares for April’s NFL draft.

“Being reinstated now with all that is going on,” Payton said, “as soon as the season ends there’s a lot of work that begins towards the next year, so that’s helpful to us. Certainly we need to do a lot of things, but I am grateful for that opportunity, I’m excited to be back.”

Without Payton roaming the sidelines this season, the Saints finished 7-9.

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