Harty secured two of his three targets for 15 yards and carried the ball two times for minus-2 yards in Sunday's 37-3 win over the Commanders.
Harty added 27 yards on punt returns in the contest. The veteran wideout played 13 offensive snaps Sunday, the fewest of any Bills wide receiver. In his limited opportunities, Harty was unable to have much of an impact on the game from a production standpoint. As a member of a crowded group of pass catchers in Buffalo, the 27-year-old remains difficult to trust for fantasy purposes. Harty will look to be more involved on offense when the Bills host the Dolphins in Week 3.
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Bills' Deonte Harty: Seeing few snaps, but big usage
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Harty recorded two catches for four yards on three targets in Sunday's 38-10 win over the Raiders.
Though he's played less than a quarter of the Bills' snaps on offense in both of the first two games and ranked behind Stefon Diggs, Gabe Davis and Trent Sherfield in playing time Week 2, Harty has been consistently involved when on the field. Playing a role similar to the one the undersized Isaiah McKenzie held for Buffalo in the past, the 5-foot-6, 170-pound Harty has been targeted on seven of the 22 routes (31.8 percent) he's run and has carried the ball once on the five nonpassing downs he's played this season. Because of his size limitations, Harty's role might not be scaled up much from this level, though he would benefit if Diggs or Davis were to miss time at any point.
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Bills' Deonte Harty: Locks down roster spot
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Harty has secured a spot on Buffalo's initial 53-man roster.
Harty will start the season as Buffalo's top option in the return game while also handling a depth role on offense. He could see increased opportunities early in the season until Justin Shorter (hamstring) returns from IR, leaving him a chance to compete with Khalil Shakir for No. 3 reps behind Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis. Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic reports that Harty and Shakir should both handle snaps out of the slot when Diggs doesn't line up there.
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Bills' Deonte Harty: Decent chance at roster spot
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Special teams coach Matthew Smiley mentioned Harty and Khalil Shakir this week as top options to replace Nyheim Hines (knee) as the team's primary return man this season, Patrick Warren of the Bills' official site reports. "Deonte had a lot of success in New Orleans on punt return, especially earlier in his career," Smiley said. "I think that it's always nice that somebody has NFL reps so his comfort level at that position is definitely a benefit."
Harty, a free-agent signee, returned both punts and kickoffs in his four-year tenure with the Saints. The Bills also don't have a clear-cut slot receiver and may use kind of a committee at that spot, another angle for Harty to secure a roster spot. Given how the Bills planned on using the versatile Hines before his season-ending knee injury stemming from a jet ski accident, it may now be difficult for a jack-of-all-trades type like Harty, though it's worth noting the Bills did bring in Andy Isabella for return help since Smiley made those statements.
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Bills' Deonte Harty: Clear for full offseason
Rotowire
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.
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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.
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Saints' Deonte Harty: Placed on IR
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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.
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Saints' Deonte Harty: Out with foot injury
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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.
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Saints' Deonte Harty: Still not practicing
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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.
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Saints' Deonte Harty: Sidelined in practice Wednesday
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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.
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Saints' Deonte Harty: Dealing with turf toe
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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.
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Saints' Deonte Harty: Slated to play Sunday
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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.
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Saints' Deonte Harty: Limited again Thursday
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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.
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Saints' Deonte Harty: Limited with foot injury
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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.
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Saints' Deonte Harty: Inactive against Carolina
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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.
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Saints' Deonte Harty: Good to go for Week 3
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Saints' Deonte Harty: Sticking in New Orleans
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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.
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Saints' Deonte Harris: Gets second-round tender
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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.
