Saints Quarterback Carr’s Future Uncertain Following Shoulder Injury Reports

New reports regarding quarterback Derek Carr’s status with the New Orleans Saints have raised concerns about his future with the team. NFL Network first reported that Carr is contending with a shoulder injury. He just got through a similar situation in 2023 when he dealt with a sprained AC joint. Even with the injury, Carr didn’t end up missing a game that year.

The Saints stand on the cusp of that improved spring, as they gear up to kick off their organized offseason training program on Monday. Currently, they hold the ninth pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and have four quarterbacks on their roster: Carr, Jake Haener, Spencer Rattler, and Ben DiNucci. That should leave no doubt, considering the team restructured Carr’s contract earlier this offseason. Now, he’s committed to New Orleans through the 2025 season, so he has two years left on his contract.

The issue of Carr’s health has gained steam after Carr’s missed 2024 campaign time due to oblique and hand injuries. He also missed seven games that season, forcing the Saints to start both Rattler and Haener in his absence. Carr’s last game was Week 14 against the New York Giants. During the match, he broke all but one bone in his non-throwing hand.

In the offseason, Carr proved himself willing to test the waters. The Saints decided to avoid that reality by restructuring his contract. This decision proves that they’re all in on Carr as a franchise player going forward. As of the writing of this article, the team still has about $27 million in cap space. This unique financial flexibility gives them the ability to make more aggressive, strategic roster decisions.

Even as offseason training begins, the Raiders will have to keep a close eye on Carr’s return from his shoulder injury. The whole landscape is very fluid and evolving. With another offseason to prepare for ahead of them, the Saints need to do a better job discerning which quarterback options make sense. This is something that fans and analysts alike will be monitoring closely to see how this all plays out in the weeks to come.