Saints offense can’t afford to lose Deonte Harris

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Deonte Harris has been slapped with a three-game suspension as a consequence of his DUI arrest over the summer.

Kind of goes without saying, but NOLA needs Harris more than ever this season.

After getting blown out by the Buffalo Bills on Thanksgiving, the New Orleans Saints should be in emergency mode. Harris only caught one pass for nine yards, spending more time on special teams as a punt and kick returner, but he’s still one of the top deep threats the Saints have.

One of the only threats they have, anyway.

Lil’ Jordan Humphrey hauled in the most yardage against the Bills, and even then, it was a meager 47 yards on three catches. Tre’Quan Smith and Marquez Callaway had disappointing games yet again, though Trevor Siemian didn’t do those two any favors on Thursday night.

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Deonte Harris is one of the last few standing

According to NFL’s Ian Rapoport, Harris has appealed his three-game suspension, which allowed him to play against Buffalo and potentially against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 13 as the appeals process plays out.

If the appeal fails, Harris will miss the next three games of the Saints’ season in their most decisive stretch of the year.

All of this shouldn’t come as a surprise to Sean Payton and the team. They had likely expected the league to punish Harris after his legal case was closed, and a three-game suspension is in line with the NFL’s disciplinary policy for a first offense DUI.

New Orleans recently signed former Patriots wideout Malcolm Perry to their practice squad, who could fill in for Harris if he misses time.

In any case, the chances that Harris’ suspension will get overturned seem low, and the Saints will just have to deal with losing one of their top-performing wideouts this season.

That and a plethora of other offensive woes.