While the Bucs, Falcons and Panthers are all set at quarterback heading into the 2025 season, the Saints suddenly may not be. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Friday afternoon that New Orleans quarterback Derek Carr has a shoulder injury that may threaten his availability for the upcoming season.
The #Saints suddenly have a major QB question: Starter Derek Carr is now dealing with a shoulder injury that threatens his availability for this season, sources say.
Carr is weighing options, including the possibility of surgery. pic.twitter.com/QNdc9ipE8P
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 11, 2025
Bucs DT Vita Vea and Saints QB Derek Carr and C Erik McCoy – Photo by: USA Today
Carr is weighing his options, Rapoport said, one of which might be surgery. As it stands right now, the Saints’ quarterback room includes Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener and Ben DiNucci. Of course, the team has dealt with injuries to Carr over the last couple of years, so its depth has been tested plenty as it is.
New Orleans also holds the No. 9 overall pick in the 2025 Draft. Team leadership could’ve already been interested in a quarterback, but this news might ramp that interest up.
In two seasons with New Orleans, Carr has completed 68.2% of his passes for 6,023 yards and 40 touchdowns to 13 interceptions over 27 games. He has a 14-13 record over that span. He certainly has his detractors and some Saints fans are among them, but the four-time Pro Bowler is still the best option New Orleans has, especially considering the dire state of the team’s roster.
Bucs Are Plenty Familiar With Saints’ Primary Backup QB
Bucs DT Vita Vea and Saints QB Spencer Rattler – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
If Derek Carr does indeed miss time — or the entire season — in 2025, it’ll be no different than what the Bucs dealt with when playing the Saints last year. Carr missed both meetings with Tampa Bay, which led then-rookie Spencer Rattler to start both games.
In the first, a 51-27 Bucs win at the Superdome, Rattler finished 22-of-40 for 243 yards and a touchdown to two interceptions. In a Week 18 rematch in Tampa, the Bucs won again, 27-19, as Rattler finished 26-of-42 for 240 yards and a touchdown.
Carr did play in both games against the Bucs two seasons ago when the two teams split. Both road teams won those matchups as Carr went 23-of-37 for 127 yards in the loss and threw for 197 yards and two touchdowns on 24-of-32 passing in the win.