Saints wide receiver Deonte Harris will miss the next three weeks after the NFL suspended him for his DUI arrest from July. He will be eligible to return in Week 17, according to a report from Field Yates.
Saints WR Deonte Harris has been suspended for the next three weeks of the NFL's regular season.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) December 6, 2021
Harris, 24, originally appealed a suspension three weeks ago, which is why he has been able to play the last two weeks. However, his appeal was unsuccessful. According to the NFL's Policy and Program on Substances of Abuse, a player's first offense DUI results in a three-game suspension without pay. If the player has another DUI, they could miss eight games without pay. This was Harris's first offense.
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Harris in July pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence that resulted in a traffic incident in Baltimore. However, he agreed to the statement of facts in the police report. The police report, via NOLA.com, indicated Harris registered a blood alcohol content of 0.246 percent, that he drove 20 mph over the speed limit and that he swerved across three lanes of traffic on a Baltimore interstate at 1:30 a.m. He was sentenced to one year of supervised probation through Nov. 8, 2022.
Harris will miss the Saints games against the Jets, Buccaneers and Dolphins in Weeks 14, 15 and 16, respectively. He will be eligible to return to the Saints' game against the Panthers in Week 17.
The Saints are currently on a five game losing streak. They are already without star wide receiver Michael Thomas for the entire season. Now, New Orleans will look to Marquez Callaway, Tre'Quan Smith, Lil'Jordan Humphrey and Kenny Stills to fill in another missing wide receiver starting spot.
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#Saints would've been better off if Deonte Harris' 3-game suspension had come during these past 5 games. Losing the guy who has been best receiver for this critical upcoming stretch will be tough.
— Rod Walker (@RodWalkerNola) December 6, 2021
Harris caught four passes for 96 yards and one touchdown (70 yards) in the Saints' 27-17 loss to the Cowboys on Thursday. It was his best game of the year, statistically. It was also his 24th birthday on Monday, one day before his suspension became official.
Deonte Harris runs it in for the touchdown 😤💨
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 3, 2021
📺: #DALvsNO on NFLN/FOX/PRIME VIDEO pic.twitter.com/95chBCWRPZ
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Harris ranks second on the Saints far this season with 31 receptions. He also leads the team with 523 receiving yards and is tied for third on the team with three touchdown receptions.