Saints' Derek Carr Reportedly Has Shoulder Injury, Status for 2025 NFL Season TBD

The New Orleans Saints could reportedly be without Derek Carr during the 2025 season.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Carr is dealing with a shoulder injury that "threatens his availability" for his upcoming regular season in New Orleans. Carr and the Saints "have been in communication about the quarterback's injury situation for a while," per Nick Underhill of NOF Network.

The veteran quarterback is "weighing his options" to deal with the injury including the "possibility" of undergoing surgery, per Rapoport.

Carr's uncertain future in 2025 could affect the Saints' upcoming decision in the 2025 NFL draft, as they own the No. 9 overall pick and may look to select a signal-caller.

The 34-year-old's outlook in New Orleans was reportedly murky entering the offseason, but he eventually agreed to a restructured contract with the team that was expected to keep him from experiencing a change of scenery.

Carr appeared in just 10 games during his 2024 campaign due to oblique and hand injuries, finishing with a record of 5-5 as a starter. He completed 67.7 percent of his throws for 2,145 yards and 15 touchdowns compared to five interceptions.

If Carr can't suit up in 2025, New Orleans' current options to replace him on its roster are Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener and Ben DiNucci.

Rattler was inconsistent during the 2024 season, throwing for 1,317 yards and four touchdowns while getting picked off five times in seven appearances as a rookie.

As for Haener and DiNucci, they have just two combined starts throughout their respective careers.

With the Saints looking to bounce back from a 5-12 record in 2024 under new head coach Kellen Moore, Carr's potential absence could cause them to heavily pursue a quarterback in the first round of the draft on April 24.