The New Orleans Saints’ star-crossed relationship with Derek Carr is gaining another chapter, as the quarterback is at risk of missing some or all of the 2025 NFL season, multiple outlets reported Friday.
NFL Network broke the news that Carr is currently dealing with a shoulder injury that could put his availability this fall in jeopardy. The outlet also reported that Carr is currently weighing different options, including shoulder surgery.
The Saints organization opted not to release or trade Carr this offseason, restructuring his contract instead. That led most observers to believe Carr would be under center for the Saints this fall.
Still, New Orleans, selecting ninth overall in this month’s NFL Draft, has been connected to multiple college quarterbacks, including Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart, as options for that pick in recent weeks.
Carr, 34, is 14-13 as the starter in New Orleans over two seasons, though he was limited to 10 games in 2024 due to injuries. Carr sustained a left hand injury and a concussion in the fourth quarter of a Week 14 victory over the New York Giants.
The Saints were not surprised by the recent news regarding Carr’s shoulder, according to The Athletic. That would seem to run counter to previous public statements from general manager Mickey Loomis and new head coach Kellen Moore, who in February both expressed appreciation for having the quarterback around.
“I think we feel like we’ve got a guy we can win with,” Loomis said at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
Carr has thrown for 41,245 yards and 257 touchdowns against 112 interceptions for the Raiders (2014-22) and Saints. He’s a four-time Pro Bowl selection, though not with the Saints, as he last made a Pro Bowl in 2022.
