Carr’s Concerns: What Derek Carr’s Shoulder Injury Means for the Saints’ 2025 Season
The New Orleans Saints’ 2024 season was a rollercoaster, finishing with a disappointing 5-12 record. While the team showed flashes of brilliance, inconsistency plagued them, leaving fans yearning for a return to their former glory. A significant factor in their struggles was the health of quarterback Derek Carr, who, despite starting 10 games, battled multiple injuries. Now, as the Saints look ahead to the 2025 season, concerns surrounding Carr’s shoulder injury have cast a shadow over their prospects.
The Injury and Uncertainty
The news broke in April 2025 that Derek Carr is dealing with a shoulder injury that could jeopardize his availability for the upcoming season. Details surrounding the injury remain scarce, but reports suggest that Carr is exploring all options, including potential surgery. Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis acknowledged the issue, stating, “He does have an issue with his shoulder. We’re hoping to get some resolution and clarity on that in the near future.”
Carr himself confirmed the injury, stating, “I have an MRI report to prove it. The team knows about it, we’ve been in constant communication.” He also mentioned his frustration with media speculation, clarifying that his absence from offseason workouts was also due to his wife’s serious health issue.
Adding another layer to the situation, Carr’s brother, David Carr, revealed that the injury is believed to have occurred during the Saints’ Week 14 game against the New York Giants in December 2024, a game where Carr also suffered a concussion and broke his wrist.
Loomis’ Draft Strategy
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Carr’s health, Loomis insists that the situation will not alter the team’s draft strategy. “I don’t think the draft approach for us is any different than it would be in any year,” Loomis stated. “We’re looking for as many good players, great players as we can find.”
However, many believe that the Saints’ decision to draft Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft was heavily influenced by Carr’s injury. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that the Saints view Shough as the most pro-ready quarterback in the draft, making him an attractive option if Carr is unable to play.
The Quarterback Conundrum
If Carr is sidelined for an extended period, the Saints’ quarterback situation becomes murky. Currently, the other quarterbacks on the roster are Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler. Neither has proven to be a reliable option, as evidenced by the team’s 0-7 record in games they started in 2024.
This leaves the door open for Tyler Shough to potentially compete for the starting job. While Loomis maintains that Carr will remain the starter when healthy, Shough could seize the opportunity if Carr is out to begin the season.
Impact on the Saints’ Offense
Carr’s potential absence would undoubtedly have a significant impact on the Saints’ offense. In 2024, Carr completed 67.7% of his passes for 2,145 yards, 15 touchdowns, and five interceptions in the 10 games he played. While these numbers aren’t spectacular, they demonstrate his ability to lead the offense when healthy.
Without Carr, the Saints would likely rely more heavily on their running game, led by veteran Alvin Kamara. Kamara had a productive 2024 season, amassing 1,493 total yards and eight touchdowns. However, relying solely on the running game would make the Saints’ offense predictable and easier to defend.
The receiving corps, led by Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, would also need to step up their game. Olave, in particular, has the potential to be a true number-one receiver, but he needs consistent quarterback play to reach his full potential.
2025 Draft Haul
The Saints’ 2025 draft class was met with mixed reviews. While some analysts praised the selection of Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. in the first round, others questioned the team’s overall strategy.
In addition to Banks and Shough, the Saints also drafted Texas defensive lineman Vernon Broughton, Virginia safety Jonas Sanker, Oklahoma linebacker Danny Stutsman, Louisville cornerback Quincy Riley, Kansas running back Devin Neal, UCLA tight end Moliki Matavao, and Syracuse edge rusher Fadil Diggs.
2025 Season Outlook
The Saints’ outlook for the 2025 season is highly dependent on Carr’s health. If he can recover from his shoulder injury and play at a high level, the Saints could contend for the NFC South title. However, if Carr is out for an extended period, the Saints will likely struggle to compete.
Some analysts are predicting a disastrous season for the Saints, with NFL Spinzone’s Lou Scataglia projecting a 2-15 record. Scataglia believes that the Saints’ offense will be lost without Carr and that the team may be in a position to draft a top quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft.
However, others are more optimistic, pointing to the Saints’ improved offensive line and the potential of Tyler Shough. James Skrmetta of Locked On Saints believes that the team is stronger than some analysts suggest and that they could finish somewhere in the middle of the league.
Ultimately, the Saints’ success in 2025 will hinge on their ability to overcome the challenges posed by Carr’s injury and develop their young talent. With a new head coach in Kellen Moore and a revamped roster, the Saints are hoping to surprise the league and prove their doubters wrong.