Saints Getting a Huge Addition Back to Their Defense

The Saints should get a key defensive piece back for Week 6 with the expected reinstatement of a suspended starter.

An already superb New Orleans Saints defense gets a big contributor back to their lineup this week. Seventh-year S Marcus Maye will be reinstated after serving a three-game suspension.

The Saints come into Week 6 ranked 4th in total defense, fourth against the pass, and eighth against the run. New Orleans has seven interceptions through the first five games, equalling their total from all of last year.

Maye, 30, has seven interceptions and five forced fumbles over his seven years in the NFL. The first five of those years were spent with the New York Jets after being selected in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft out of Florida.

New Orleans signed Maye as a free agent in the offseason of 2022. He'd miss seven games for the Saints because of injuries last season and made a minimal impact when he did play, finishing with no interceptions, no sacks, no tackles for loss, and just two passes broken up with a forced fumble. 

Maye got off to a torrid start in his second season with New Orleans before being suspended for violation of the NFL banned substance policy. Through two games before his suspension, he intercepted one pass, broke up two others, and recorded a sack while showing outstanding range in coverage. He had 13 tackles through those first two contests, including a team-high six solo stops in a Monday night win at Carolina. 

Sep 10, 2023; New Orleans Saints safety Marcus Maye (6) after intercepting a Tennessee Titans pass. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Nelles-USA TODAY Sports

Rookie fifth-round choice Jordan Howden has played well during Maye's suspension. However, Howden and veteran Lonnie Johnson have both dealt with injuries, forcing the Saints to go with extremely limited veteran Johnathan Abram at safety. 

Marcus Maye and Tyrann Mathieu form one of the better safety tandems in the league. Both players have terrific coverage range and either are assets to the run defense when used close to the line of scrimmage. 

Maye's official reinstatement should come early this week. The 3-2 Saints travel to face the 2-3 Houston Texans on Sunday.