The NFL announced a three-game suspension of New Orleans Saints safety Marcus Maye for violating the league’s policy on substance abuse on Wednesday.
Maye, who has played a team-high 123 defensive snaps for the Saints over the first two weeks, will miss games against the Green Bay Packers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New England Patriots. He is eligible to return on Monday, Oct. 9 and can play again in Week 6 against the Houston Texans.
Over two games, Maye produced 13 tackles, one interception and 1.0 sack for the Saints defense, which is fifth in the NFL in points allowed entering Week 3.
Signed by the Saints in 2022, Maye played in 10 games for New Orleans last season. He is a starter with Tyrann Mathieu at safety.
The Saints could use rookie Jordan Howden, who has played 26 snaps over the first two weeks, as a replacement for Maye at safety. The Saints took Howden (Minnesota) in the fifth round out of 2023 draft.
Maye will join running back Alvin Kamara and quarterback Jake Haener on the team’s suspended list. Suspended players do not count against the 53-man roster limit.