Team news: New Orleans Saints

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.

Related Players: Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener, Ben DiNucci

If Carr is legitimately questionable for the 2025 season, the Saints' first and second round picks could go in far different directions than they are currently projected. As it stands before the NFL Draft, we would assume that Rattler is going to be the temporary name atop the depth chart as we wait to see how this plays out for Carr and his shoulder.

A reunion in New Orleans: 11-year veteran WR Brandin Cooks is headed back to the Saints.

Cooks returns to the franchise that drafted him in the first round in 2014.

Related Players: Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, Bub Means, Velus Jones

Cooks brings some speed to New Orleans, but it's very unlikely that he's an every-down player at this point in his career. The vet hasn't hit 700 receiving yards since the 2021 season, in his second year with the Texans.

The Saints and TE Juwan Johnson agreed to terms on a 3-year, 30.75M deal that maxes out at $34.5M, per The Insiders. He gets 21.25m guaranteed. An important move in New Orleans.

Related Players: Taysom Hill, Foster Moreau

A perennial favorite in the TE streaming streets, Johnson finally hit 50 receptions last season (50-548-3) and should be in the running to put up modest-to-good numbers, even with Hill and Moreau in town. He's not draftable in typical redraft leagues, but makes a good TE3/stack option in best ball.

A new head coach doesn't appear to mean a new starting quarterback in New Orleans.

After several talks with Derek Carr about his 2025 compensation, the Saints are converting most of his salary this year into a signing bonus, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo reported Saturday.

Considering Carr is now set to make his full $40 million salary in 2025, Garafolo added that New Orleans' conversion indicates the team intends to move forward with him as QB1 for the upcoming season.

Related Players: Spencer Rattler

The offense was quite disappointing in 2024, but there's no denying they dealt with plenty of health issues, as well. Carr will bring some stability while New Orleans looks to build around Chris Olave, Alvin Kamara, and Rashid Shaheed once again.

Saints ruled out RB Alvin Kamara and QB Derek Carr for Sunday’s game vs. the Raiders.

Related Players: Kendre Miller, Jamaal Williams, Jordan Mims

Miller had an awful showing in his first "full-time" outing (8 rushes, 15 yards), so he'll look to turn things around here against the Raiders. Consider him in the RB30-35 range for Week 17.

The Cowboys are shutting down CeeDee Lamb for the final two games. From the team:

"Additional examinations and scans this week on CeeDee Lamb’s shoulder have determined that his injury has now progressed to a point that he will be listed as "Out" for the remaining two games of the season.

"He will undergo a process of treatment and rehabilitation for his shoulder, is not currently expected to require surgery and is projected to make a full recovery."

Related Players: Brandin Cooks, KaVontae Turpin, Jalen Tolbert, Jonathan Mingo

Cooper Rush will be left with an interesting cast of characters here; none of which should be plugged into Championship lineups unless you're in a wildly deep league.

The Saints ruled out QB Derek Carr and RB Alvin Kamara for Week 16 against the Packers.

Carr is still dealing with his hand injury while Kamara is dealing with a groin injury that is considered week-to-week. The Saints could choose to let Kamara rest for the remainder of the season but they have yet to place him on injured reserve. Kendre Miller will get the start and is an RB2 this week against the Packers.

Spencer Rattler will get the start at quarterback. It's unlikely Carr will return this season with the season all but lost at 5-9. Rattler is not a reliable fantasy option this week, though he did show more upside than Jake Haener in Week 15.

Saints announced QB Spencer Rattler will start Monday Night vs the Packers.

Related Players: Jake Haener

We would rather see what Rattler can do out there anyways, but this is going to be a tough matchup against the Packers defense. He can safely be left on waiver wires.

Rizzi said Alvin Kamara’s injury was more significant than thought. He said it does not look great for this week.

Related Players: Kendre Miller, Jamaal Williams, Jordan Mims

Kendre Miller should get a ton of run here in Week 16, which puts him squarely on fantasy radars as a fringe RB2/3.

There’s some new reporting pouring cold water on Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi’s assertion that it’s not “a reach” to think Derek Carr will be cleared by the end of the season.

Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, Carr is considered “very unlikely” to return this season.

This seemed like the most logical outcome, even when the Saints were not ruling Carr out for the season. Carr’s left hand is fractured in two places, the story pointed out. Rapoport also noted, via the story, that Carr recently underwent further examination, which determined he’s at least a few weeks away from withstanding contact.