The New Orleans Saints will be without one of their starters on defense when they travel to play the Green Bay Packers in Week 3. The NFL announced on Wednesday that safety Marcus Maye has been suspended without pay for the next three games due to violating the NFL’s Substance Abuse Policy.
Maye will not be eligible to return until Week 6 when the Saints take on the Houston Texans. Through the first two games of the season, he has played 100% of the team’s defensive snaps and has logged 13 tackles, one interception, and one sack.
Buy Packers TicketsMaye has been a key contributor to a stout New Orleans defense in 2023, which is currently fourth in total defense and fifth in points allowed per game. Maye could be replaced by rookie Jordan Howden, a fifth-round pick out of Minnesota with only 26 career snaps. Even without Maye, the Saints could present an immense challenge for the Packers’ offense with playmakers Tyrann Mathieu and Marson Lattimore still lurking in the secondary.
In addition to Maye, the Saints will be without running back Alvin Kamara and quarterback Jake Haener, who are also serving suspensions.
Green Bay will host New Orleans in their home opener on Sunday, September 24, starting at 12:00 PM CST.
