So this could be a problem. Deonte Harris was sentenced to a year of probation following an offseason arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol, per Amie Just of the Times-Picayune | Advocate. Now that his case has been closed, the NFL will be able to issue him a potential suspension.
The new collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and its players introduced in 2020 extended first-time suspensions for DUI arrests to three games rather than two, which was the previous standard. The league typically waits until a case is closed to hand down a suspension which explains why no suspension has been announced for Harris yet. We’re going to have to wait and see.
It couldn’t come at a worse time for the Saints, who have seen Harris climb the depth chart to become their most dynamic receiver. He leads the team with 46.1 receiving yards per game while also ranking first in the NFL with 27.6 yards per kickoff return (and second in punt return yards at 15.6 a pop, though opposing teams have only given him 7 returnable tries).
This follows news that Michael Thomas will not play in 2021 after a setback from ankle surgery, and a loss to the Atlanta Falcons in which the Saints’ receiving corps dropped between 3 and 7 passes, depending on which stats service you prefer. They need Harris in the worst way, but his decision to drink and drive this offseason, putting himself and others at risk — and the subsequent arrest — are hurting them.
At this point we don’t know when Harris will be suspended. Here’s how the rest of the Saints’ schedule shakes out:
- Week 10 at Tennessee Titans
- Week 11 at Philadelphia Eagles
- Week 12 vs. Buffalo Bills
- Week 13 vs. Dallas cowboys
- Week 14 at New York Jets
- Week 15 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Week 16 vs. Miami Dolphins
- Week 17 vs. Carolina Panthers
- Week 18 at Atlanta Falcons
