Derek Carr injury update: Saints QB 2025 season ‘in doubt’ amid potential shoulder surgery

After missing the end of the 2024 season due to a hand injury, New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr’s status is “in doubt” for 2025, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported. He is dealing with a shoulder injury and is weighing options, including surgery.

News of Carr’s injury comes less than two weeks until the 2025 NFL Draft. The Saints have Spencer Rattler on the roster, but also have the No. 9 overall pick and there was a sense they could select a quarterback to develop. Former Colorado star Shedeur Sanders’ name is one that has come up in connection with New Orleans, as has former Ole Miss standout Jaxson Dart.

That selection gets even more interesting if Carr winds up having to miss this coming season. He recently restructured his contract to free up salary cap space and is in line to be the starter under new coach Kellen Moore if he can play.

Derek Carr's 2024 season ended prematurely with a fractured non-throwing hand. Now, a shoulder injury has put his availability for 2025 in doubt. https://t.co/pxfTTJH0KL

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 11, 2025

Carr signed a four-year, $150 million contract with the Saints ahead of the 2023 season and put up impressive numbers after leaving the Las Vegas Raiders. He threw for 3,878 yards and 25 touchdowns in 17 games as New Orleans finished 9-8. However, injuries got in he way of his 2024 campaign as he totaled 2,145 yards and 15 touchdowns.

After the season, there was speculation about Carr’s future. The Saints had major salary cap concerns entering free agency, but they ultimately restructured his deal to create more space. That perhaps indicated he’d be back as the starter in 2025, although his injury now adds a new wrinkle to the situation.

What Derek Carr’s injury means for the NFL Draft

Now, all eyes are on the No. 9 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. In his final mock draft even before news broke of Derek Carr’s injury, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. projected the Saints to select Sanders with that selection. That would have presented a situation where Carr could help develop the young quarterback, who led FBS in completion percentage in 2024.

However, ESPN’s Matt Miller recently cited a rumor he’d dig farther into ahead of the draft. There was some chatter about whether Dart could jump into the Top 10 and potentially be an option at No. 9. Dart has been one of the biggest risers during the pre-draft process following a strong showing at the Senior Bowl.

The 2025 NFL Draft is less than two weeks away. All eyes will turn to Green Bay April 24-26, and the Saints’ selection just got that more interesting.