NFL suspends Saints WR Deonte Harris 3 games for DUI arrest

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Deonte Harris will be missing action for the next three weeks following his suspension by the NFL for being arrested for a DUI in July. He will be allowed to return to the field in week 17.

Harris was sentenced to a year of supervised probation that will run through Nov. 8 next year, for driving under the influence after a traffic incident that took place near his hometown of Baltimore in July.

The wideout was pulled over and arrested after police said they saw his car being driven erratically. He was driving more than 20 mph over the 55 mph limit, but no one was hurt.

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Rejected appeal

The 24-year-old was handed the suspension following the ruling. He appealed the suspension three weeks ago, and this bought him some time and allowed him to play the past two weeks. His appeal was rejected.

He will sit out New Orleans’ games against the Jets, the Buccaneers, and the Dolphins. New Orleans will miss the services of the 2019 All-Pro as he has been doing more active duty as a receiver this season.

The NFL’s Policy and Program on Substances of Abuse state that a player will be suspended for three games without pay for the first DUI offense. This was Harris’ first. Those who incur further offenses face an eight-game suspension without pay.

New Orleans' depleted offense

The suspension of Harris costs the Saints yet another wide receiver, after earlier losing Michael Thomas for the season due to ankle surgery. The team will now lean on Marquez Callaway, Tre’Quan Smith and Li’l Jordan Humphrey to fill in the gap.

The Saints are on a five-game losing streak. They currently have a 5-7 record in the NFC South, and are in a three-way tie with the Carolina Panthers and the Atlanta Falcons.