Foster Moreau practices with Saints for the first time amid cancer diagnosis

Former Raiders tight end Foster Moreau made his Saints practice debut on Tuesday as a full participant on the first day of OTAs.

Moreau received a cancer diagnosis of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in March during free agency. Although New Orleans wasn’t sure what his diagnosis would mean for his ability to play this season, it didn’t scare them off. Saints head coach Dennis Allen told reporters earlier this month that they hoped Moreau would be available this week.

Despite his time off the field, clips from practice showed the tight end hasn’t missed a step. He appears to be connecting with quarterback Derek Carr just like back in their days together with the Raiders.

A good look at Foster Moreau out at OTAs today #Saints pic.twitter.com/qfStnq1Zln

— Jeff Nowak (@Jeff_Nowak) May 23, 2023

The former LSU standout garnered the Saints’ interest even after the organization discovered his illness. He signed a new three-year deal worth $12 million, which is the biggest of his career so far.

Moreau wrapped up the best year of his pro football career in his 2022 campaign with the Las Vegas Raiders, hauling in 33 catches for 420 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

During his four years in the National Football League with Las Vegas, he has pulled in 91 total catches for 1,107 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns.

Moreau played four seasons with the Tigers before going to the Raiders with the 137th-overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft. He finished his last season with the team catching 22 passes for 272 yards and two touchdowns.

Saints were first to offer Moreau despite diagnosis

Not only did the Saints deliver the news that could save his life, but they also were the first to step up with an offer that would ensure Moreau would have a team to play for after treatment.

Speaking with Adam Schefter on his weekly podcast, Moreau opened up about the offer New Orleans made him and why he chose to sign with them.

“For me, a big part of it playing into my decision was, the Saints and Mickey Loomis called my agent, the day after I got my diagnosis,” Moreau said, “Mickey calls my agent and says, ‘We still value Foster as a person and we value you even more as a player. We’d absolutely love to sign him to whatever deal we can, whatever you guys are comfortable with, whenever he’s ready to play, we’re excited to have him. Regardless. We’re going to keep him here, we’re going to keep him home.’

“For me, that spoke volumes.”