Harty, who signed as a free agent with the Bills on Wednesday, says the toe injury that limited him to just four games in 2022 has fully healed.
"I was cleared a while ago," Harty said after his signing. "I'm back to doing everything. I'm back to feeling like my normal self. So, I'm good to go."
The former Saint is set to serve as a depth receiver and return man for the Bills in 2023. Buffalo is fairly crowded on offense, but Harty likely received a boost in status Friday when the Bills cut Isaiah McKenzie, a player with a similar skill set.
... See More... See Less
Bills' Deonte Harty: Heading to Buffalo
Rotowire
Harty (foot) and the Bills reached agreement Wednesday on a two-year contract worth up to $13.5 million, Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic reports.
According to Buscaglia, Harty's deal includes $5 million fully guaranteed and $9.5 million in base salary. Harty spent the first four years of his career with the Saints, serving as a depth receiver and return specialist over four games in 2022 before being shut down for the season with foot injury. Over the games he played last season, Harty recorded two catches for 13 yards while compiling 137 kick-return yards. The 5-foot-6 athlete is unlikely to have a consistent impact on offense for the Bills, but he could certainly carve out a significant role on special teams in 2023.
... See More... See Less
Saints' Deonte Harty: Placed on IR
Rotowire
The Saints placed Harty (foot) on injured reserve Saturday.
The fourth-year receiver typically hasn't been a major part of the Saints' offensive game plan during his time in the NFL, but his absence for at least Sunday's matchup with the Bengals will loom larger than normal with each of New Orleans' top three receivers -- Michael Thomas (foot), Chris Olave (concussion) and Jarvis Landry (ankle) either ruled out for the contest or considered unlikely to play. Harty, who had recorded two receptions for 13 yards while also handling return duties in four of the Saints' first five games, won't be eligible to come off IR until the team's Week 10 matchup with the Steelers on Nov. 13.
... See More... See Less
Saints' Deonte Harty: Out with foot injury
Rotowire
Harty (foot) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.
Harty's foot injury robs him of the chance to take advantage of both Michael Thomas (foot) and Jarvis Landry (ankle) being out of the lineup. It's a tough situation for the Saints, especially with another game coming up Thursday against Arizona in Week 7.
... See More... See Less
Saints' Deonte Harty: Still not practicing
Rotowire
Harty (foot) was a non-participant at practice Thursday, John Hendrix of SI.com reports.
Harty's inability to practice so far this week does not bode well for his status come Sunday against the Bengals. Considering the initial report of his turf toe injury by Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football relayed he was expected to miss time and that there was fear of significant injury, a Harty absence in Week 6 wouldn't come as a surprise.
... See More... See Less
Saints' Deonte Harty: Sidelined in practice Wednesday
Rotowire
Harty (foot) did not participate during the Saints' practice Wednesday.
Harty is expected to miss some time after suffering what is feared to be a significant turf toe injury during Sunday's win over the Seahawks. The 25-year-old has served as New Orleans' primary returner for both punts and kickoffs when healthy this season, so his likely absence should lead to more special-teams usage for fellow wideout Marquez Callaway.
... See More... See Less
Saints' Deonte Harty: Dealing with turf toe
Rotowire
Harty suffered a turf toe injury in Sunday's Week 5 win over the Seahawks, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.
Harty is expected to miss extended time after suffering the injury. In his absence, Marquez Callaway and Taysom Hill could get more involved in the return game.
... See More... See Less
Saints' Deonte Harty: Slated to play Sunday
Rotowire
Harty (foot) was a limited participant in Friday's practice session and doesn't carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Vikings, John Hendrix of SI.com reports.
Harty was limited for all three of the Saints' practice sessions this week, but he'll be able to play through his foot injury for Sunday's matchup in London. Over his first two appearances this season, he's secured both of his targets for 13 yards.
... See More... See Less
Saints' Deonte Harty: Limited again Thursday
Rotowire
Harty (foot) was limited in Thursday's practice.
Harty is one of four wideouts on New Orleans' injury report, as Michael Thomas (foot) remains sidelined and Jarvis Landry (ankle) was limited Thursday. Meanwhile, Tre'Quan Smith (concussion) was a full participant. Harty will have one more opportunity to increase his activity level before Sunday's game against the Vikings.
... See More... See Less
Saints' Deonte Harty: Limited with foot injury
Rotowire
Harty (foot) was limited at the Saints' practice Wednesday, John Hendrix of SI.com reports.
Harty is still nursing a foot injury heading into Week 4, operating as a limited participant at Wednesday's practice. With Michael Thomas (toe), Jarvis Landry (foot) and Tre'Quan Smith (concussion) also banged up, the Saints could be short-handed at wide receiver Sunday.
... See More... See Less
Saints' Deonte Harty: Inactive against Carolina
Rotowire
Harty (coach's decision) will not play in Sunday's matchup against the Panthers.
With Harty a healthy scratch Sunday, fellow wideout and return specialist Marquez Callaway should take his place as the No. 4 receiver for the Saints.
... See More... See Less
Saints' Deonte Harty: Good to go for Week 3
Rotowire
Harty (foot) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Panthers, Luke Johnson of the New Orleans Advocate reports.
Harty practiced fully Friday following a pair of limited sessions, shedding any doubt regarding his availability for Week 3. His impact comes primarily on special teams, as Harty returns both kickoffs and punts but sees limited usage on offense.
... See More... See Less
Saints' Deonte Harty: Dealing with foot injury
Rotowire
Harty (foot) was limited at practice Wednesday.
Harty played 11 offensive snaps and caught his lone target for nine yards during Sunday's loss to Tampa Bay. He was the only wideout outside of the team's starting trio of Michael Thomas, Chris Olave and Jarvis Landry to record a catch, but he appears to have come away from the contest with a foot injury. Harty has been competing with Marquez Callaway for the No. 4 wideout spot while Tre'Quan Smith (shoulder) is sidelined, but Harty's potential absence would have a greater impact on New Orleans' return game. Regardless, Harty still has two practices to clear his foot issue before the team has to make a decision on his status for Week 3.
... See More... See Less
Saints' Deonte Harty: Notches second catch of 2022
Rotowire
Harty caught his lone target for nine yards while playing 11 of his 22 snaps on offense during Sunday's 20-10 loss to the Buccaneers.
Harty was the only New Orleans wide receiver outside of the team's starting trio of Michael Thomas, Chris Olave and Jarvis Landry to record a catch during the game, hauling in quarterback Jameis Winston's final pass of the fourth quarter. However, the 24-year-old's largest impact came on special teams, as he tallied 65 yards on two kick returns while netting a six-yard loss on one punt return. Marquez Callaway did not record a target Sunday, and the duo will continue to compete for New Orleans' No. 4 receiver spot while Tre'Quan Smith recovers from a shoulder injury.
... See More... See Less
Saints' Deonte Harty: Sticking in New Orleans
Rotowire
Harty signed his restricted free agent tender Thursday, Amie Just of The New Orleans Times-Picayunereports.
Harty is set to make $4 million in 2022 while playing on the tender. Originally an undrafted free agent, Harty has made his mark primarily on special teams, as he picked up 690 kick return yards and 199 punt return yards in 2021. He also tallied a career-high 36 receptions to go along with 570 receiving yards and three touchdowns last season, though he now has more competition for targets, with Michael Thomas (ankle) on track to return to the mix, as well as the addition of Chris Olave in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
... See More... See Less
Saints' Deonte Harris: Gets second-round tender
Rotowire
The Saints are giving Harris a second-round tender, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
This all but assures the restricted free agent will stay with the Saints, as no team would give up a second-round pick for the right to sign him. Harris did have a career year in 2021 as the Saints' No. 3 receiver and return specialist, catching 36 of 59 targets for 570 yards and three touchdowns. Listed at 5-foot-6, 170 pounds, Harris likely will be the team's third or fourth receiver in 2022.
... See More... See Less
Saints' Deonte Harris: Tallies three receptions
Rotowire
Harris recorded three receptions on four targets for 24 yards in Sunday's 30-20 win over the Falcons.
Harris finished second on the team in targets and receptions behind only Tre'Quan Smith. However, that translated into subpar production as the Saints took to the air only 24 times as opposed to 46 rushing attempts. Harris had an inconsistent season marred by a three-game suspension, time on the reserve/COVID-19 list and a hamstring injury. However, when on the field he emerged as a big-play threat by logging five receptions of 20 or more yards and four receptions that gained at least 40 yards. The Saints could overhaul their offensive personnel this offseason, meaning Harris' potential role in 2022 remains unclear.
... See More... See Less
Saints' Deonte Harris: Two catches in return
Rotowire
Harris caught two of two targets for 23 yards during Sunday's 18-10 win over Carolina.
Making his return from a three-game suspension, Harris finished third among Saints wide receivers in offensive snaps, despite the absence of Tre'Quan Smith (chest). While Harris still was able to do just as much damage as Lil'Jordan Humphrey (two catches for 28 yards), both of these receivers watched as Marquez Callaway brought in six of 10 targets for 97 yards. However, it's possible that Harris' mid-week stint on the COVID-19 list impacted his playing time. If so, Harris could be in store for a heightened workload Week 18 against Atlanta, especially if Smith remains sidelined.
... See More... See Less
Saints' Deonte Harris: Removed from COVID-19 list
Rotowire
Harris (illness) was removed from the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.
Harris spent time on the COVID-19 list during the third and final week of his league-imposed suspension, but if he checks out fine from a conditioning standpoint, he could step into a big role this Sunday against Carolina. Starting wideout Tre'Quan Smith (chest) has been ruled out already, with backups Lil'Jordan Humphrey (illness) and Ty Montgomery (back) listed as questionable. Still, there's not a ton of upside for the Saints' passing game with Taysom Hill at quarterback.
... See More... See Less
Saints' Deonte Harris: Suspension over
Rotowire
Harris' suspension was lifted Tuesday, but he remains on the reserve/COVID-19 list, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.
Harris found himself on the COVID-19 list Sunday, just one day before he was set to fulfill his three-game ban for violating the NFL's policy and program for substances of abuse. If he clears amended league protocols in time to play Week 17 against the Panthers, he'd join Marquez Callaway, Lil'Jordan Humphrey and potentially Tre'Quan Smith (chest) as the primary wide receivers for whoever happens to be available at quarterback for the Saints.
