Saints quarterback star recently confirmed he has been dealing with a shoulder injury, which he discussed during a guest sermon at Church LV in Las Vegas last weekend, as reported by ESPN’s Katherine Terrell. Carr mentioned having an MRI report to back up his claim and stated that the team is aware of the situation and has been in constant communication with him.
He also addressed media rumors surrounding his injury and absence during the Saints’ offseason workouts, explaining that his wife was dealing with a serious health issue, which delayed their return to New Orleans. However, Carr did not provide further details on the specifics of his injury or when he expects to return.
Carr’s brother, former NFL quarterback David Carr, provided more context during an appearance on NFL Network, revealing that the injury likely occurred during the Saints’ Week 14 game against the Giants last December. In that game, Derek Carr suffered both a wrist injury and a concussion, which ultimately ended his season. After his wrist healed, Carr realized his shoulder was still causing pain, prompting him to consider his future options.
While surgery remains a possibility, it could impact his availability for the 2025 season. Carr prefers to focus on rehabilitation in hopes of returning as soon as possible and is consulting with the team to determine the best course of action.
The Saints’ recent decision to draft Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough now seems more significant in light of Carr’s injury. New Orleans believes Shough to be the most pro-ready QB in the draft, which could have been a motivating factor given the uncertainty surrounding Carr’s availability.
General manager Mickey Loomis has said there will be a “competition” for the quarterback position but indicated that Carr would remain the starter once healthy. If Carr is still unavailable to start the season, Shough could take over and make it difficult for the team to return to Carr once he’s ready. This may be why Carr is pushing for rehab and aiming to play as soon as possible, as his job may be at risk if he is sidelined for too long.
