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Cam Akers Cam Akers Gets chance with Saints
Fri, Jun 13, 2025, 5:20 PM
The Saints signed Akers to a contract Friday, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: In his fifth NFL campaign in 2024, Akers split time between the Texans and Vikings, recording 104 carries for 444 yards (4.3 YPC) and two touchdowns and 14 catches (on 18 targets) for 68 yards and three more TDs. He entered the offseason as an unrestricted free agent and went without much interest until New Orleans' mandatory minicamp this week, when he worked out for the team. Akers showed enough to earn another opportunity, but he joins a crowded backfield behind No. 1 option Alvin Kamara along with Kendre Miller and rookie sixth-rounder Devin Neal. |
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Dallin Holker Dallin Holker Back at practice
Wed, Jun 11, 2025, 6:15 PM
Holker (undisclosed) participated during minicamp Wednesday, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.
Analysis: Holker was hindered by a minor injury earlier in the offseason, but he now seems to be back to full strength. Although he suited up for 12 games last season, he might not be a lock for a spot on New Orleans' final 53-man roster when the 2025 season starts. |
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Alvin Kamara Alvin Kamara Back on the field
Tue, Jun 10, 2025, 4:59 PM
Kamara (groin) participated in Tuesday's minicamp practice.
Analysis: Kamara, who missed the last three games of the 2024 regular season with a groin injury, hadn't been participating in the Saints' voluntary workouts this offseason, but his activity during Tuesday's mandatory minicamp session demonstrates that he's moved past the issue. While there's no doubt that Kamara slots in as the team's No. 1 back as the coming campaign approaches, it remains to be seen how the rest of the New Orleans backfield depth chart will shake out prior to Week 1. For now, the top candidates for complementary work behind Kamara (who recorded 228 carries and 68 catches in 14 contests last year) are Kendre Miller, Devin Neal and Clyde Edwards-Helaire. |
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Alvin Kamara Alvin Kamara Not at voluntary OTAs
Thu, Jun 5, 2025, 4:23 PM
Kamara (groin) hasn't been participating in the Saints' voluntary workouts this offseason, Matthew Paras of the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.
Analysis: Kamara missed the last three games of the 2024 regular season with a groin injury, but he's presumably past the issue, a notion that will be confirmed when he next takes the field with his teammates, which may arrive when the Saints hold their mandatory minicamp June 10-12. When he's available, Kamara remains entrenched as the team's No. 1 back, but Paras suggests that the backfield pecking order behind that isn't settled. In the running for slotting behind Kamara are Kendre Miller, Devin Neal and Clyde Edwards-Helaire, while Velus Jones, Xazavian Valladay and Marcus Yarns also are in the depth mix for now. |
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Rashid Shaheed Rashid Shaheed Looks back to full health
Fri, May 30, 2025, 9:59 AM
Shaheed (knee) is participating in OTAs without any apparent restrictions and joined Chris Olave (concussion) in punt-return drills Thursday, Luke Johnson of NOLA.com reports.
Analysis: Shaheed and Olave have both looked fully healthy at OTAs, per Matthew Paras of NOLA.com, an encouraging development as the Saints work through a three-way quarterback competition to recover from the offseason retirement of Derek Carr (shoulder). Rookie second-round pick Tyler Shough, 2024 fifth-rounder Spencer Rattler and third-year pro Jake Haener (oblique) all appear to have a legitimate shot at securing the starting gig for Week 1. With Haener sidelined multiple weeks, and potentially until training camp, Shaheed's current focus will be to build chemistry with Shough and Rattler. His full participation level aligns with the four-to-six-month recovery timetable attached to the season-ending meniscus injury Shaheed suffered last October. |
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Kendre Miller Kendre Miller Healthy entering Year 3
Fri, May 30, 2025, 9:47 AM
Miller (concussion) participated in voluntary OTAs on Thursday, while starter Alvin Kamara (groin) was not in attendance, Luke Johnson of NOLA.com reports.
Analysis: Miller missed New Orleans' regular-season finale due to a concussion in 2024, after a pair of hamstring injuries had forced him to miss all but two of the team's first 12 games; however, he's now fully healthy. Miller will turn only 23 in June, so he still has an opportunity to secure the No. 2 role behind Kamara, a three-down workhorse who is entering his age 30-season. Clyde Edwards-Helaire and rookie sixth-rounder Devin Neal represent Miller's top competition for backup reps. Head coach Kellen Moore said he views this offseason as "a blank slate" for Miller, per John Sigler of USA Today, but the reality is that the 2023 third-round pick is likely running out of chances to prove he can stay healthy. Injuries have limited Miller to just 14 regular-season appearances (out of 34 possible games) since entering the league, and he's mustered 80 carries for 304 yards (3.8 YPC) and two scores in that span. |
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Chris Olave Chris Olave Full participant at OTAs
Fri, May 30, 2025, 9:16 AM
Olave (concussion) is participating in OTAs without restrictions and took reps returning punts Thursday, Luke Johnson of NOLA.com reports.
Analysis: Olave hasn't been tasked with fielding punts or kickoffs once since entering the league in 2022, so Thursday's special-teams reps likely don't forebode any actual upcoming usage in the return game. It's simply encouraging to note that the fourth-year pro looks completely healthy at spring practices, as Matthew Paras of NOLA.com reports, and that he's been available to assist with New Orleans' three-way quarterback competition that's the result of Derek Carr's (shoulder) recent retirement announcement. Olave has some experience playing with both Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener (oblique), the latter who could be out until training camp, but rookie second-rounder Tyler Shough is an entirely new name in the mix. The Saints exercised Olave's fifth-year option in April, so his rookie deal with the team now runs through 2026. |
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Dallin Holker Dallin Holker Dealing with injury
Thu, May 22, 2025, 2:13 PM
Head coach Kellen Moore told reporters Thursday that Holker (undisclosed) is dealing with a "minor" injury, Matthew Paras of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.
Analysis: The Colorado State product served as the Saints' No. 3 tight end in 2024, catching three of his four targets for 21 yards while playing 104 total snaps (73 offensive, 31 on special teams) across 12 regular-season games. With Holker and Foster Moreau (knee) currently sidelined, Jack Stoll and Moliki Matavao will likely see increased offensive reps. |
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Foster Moreau Foster Moreau Missing offseason program
Thu, May 22, 2025, 2:08 PM
Head coach Kellen Moore told reporters Thursday that Moreau (knee) won't participate in the team's offseason program, Matthew Paras of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.
Analysis: Moreau is still recovering from the knee injury sustained in early January, so it's no surprise he'll be sidelined for the Saints' offseason activities. Since coming over from Las Vegas ahead of the 2023 season, Moreau has appeared in 32 regular-season games, recording 53 receptions for 606 yards and six touchdowns. He played 711 offensive snaps in 2024 -- the second-most of his career -- so once he returns from injury, Moreau is likely to compete for a role as one of the Saints' top vertical threats at tight end. |
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Taysom Hill Taysom Hill Won't take part in OTAs
Thu, May 22, 2025, 1:28 PM
Saints head coach Kellen Moore said Thursday that Hill (ACL) and Foster Moreau (knee) are both rehabbing and will miss OTAs and mandatory minicamp, Matthew Paras of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.
Analysis: Hill is recovering from a late-season left ACL tear suffered last December, making it no guarantee that he's ready for the start of training camp either. The 34-year-old carries a cap hit of nearly $18 million for 2025, including a non-guaranteed $10 million base salary, so he also still seems a likely candidate to have his contract restructured or become a cap casualty. With both Hill and Moreau sidelined, Juwan Johnson, who inked a three-year extension with New Orleans in March, will take first-team TE reps and get to build chemistry with both Tyler Shough and Spencer Rattler during the offseason program. Jake Haener (oblique) also is part of this team's three-way quarterback competition, but he may miss the remainder of offseason activities due to a recent injury. |
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Jake Haener Jake Haener Injures oblique at practice
Thu, May 22, 2025, 8:26 AM
Haener sustained an oblique strain at practice Wednesday that is expected to sideline him multiple weeks but leave him ready for the start of training camp in late July, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: A 2023 fourth-round pick who suited up for eight games last season, Haener boasts the longest tenure in the NFL of the Saints' quarterback room. With his participation in the team's three-way contest for the Week 1 starting job now on pause until potentially as long as training camp, increased reps are up for grabs for rookie second-rounder Tyler Shough and 2024 fifth-round pick Spencer Rattler throughout OTAs. Hunter Dekkers, an undrafted free agent who started for Iowa State in 2022 before playing in junior college in 2024, also could push for some opportunities at OTAs with Haener unavailable. |
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Donovan Peoples-Jones Donovan Peoples-Jones Signs with Saints
Mon, May 12, 2025, 2:23 PM
Peoples-Jones agreed to terms Monday on a contract with New Orleans, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.
Analysis: Peoples-Jones spent time on the Lions' practice squad in 2024, but he hasn't logged a regular-season appearance since 2023, when he suited up for eight games with Detroit. Top wideouts Chris Olave (concussion), Rashid Shaheed (knee), Brandin Cooks and Bub Means all missed time due to injuries last season, making wide receiver depth a key area of need for the Saints. In the wake of Derek Carr (shoulder) retiring, Peoples-Jones will have the opportunity to build chemistry with all of Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener. |
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Jake Haener Jake Haener Will compete for QB1 job
Sat, May 10, 2025, 1:22 PM
Saints head coach Kellen Moore said Saturday that all three of the team's currently rostered quarterbacks -- Haener, Tyler Shough and Spencer Rattler -- will have an opportunity to complete for the starting quarterback role during camp in the wake of Derek Carr's retirement, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Carr's unexpected retirement Saturday swung the door wide open for one of New Orleans' three young quarterbacks to take the reigns as the team's starting QB in 2025. None of the trio has much experience -- Shough is a rookie, Haener has thrown just 39 NFL passes, and Rattler has thrown 228 passes -- so they are beginning the competition on a pretty level playing field in that regard. However, Haener is probably a longshot to earn the QB1 nod based on the fact that Rattler was the primary choice to step in last season after Carr was hurt, while Shough has the most invested in him, as the Saints selected him in the second round of April's NFL Draft. Haener also looked overwhelmed in his lone NFL start, completing just four of 10 passes for 49 yards and an interception in Week 15 last season before being benched after halftime. |
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Spencer Rattler Spencer Rattler Could battle for QB1 role
Sat, May 10, 2025, 10:29 AM
As a result of Derek Carr (shoulder) announcing his retirement from the NFL on Saturday, Rattler could battle with rookie Tyler Shough for the Saints' starting quarterback role to begin the 2025 campaign.
Analysis: Carr's retirement leaves New Orleans with a QB room consisting of Rattler, Shough and Jake Haener. In terms of game experience, Rattler is the most experienced of the trio -- he got into seven games as a rookie last year but largely struggled, completing just 57 percent of his 228 pass attempts for 1,317 yards and a 4:5 TD:INT while adding 146 yards on the ground on 18 carries. However, Shough -- who is a rookie but is exactly one year older than Rattler -- may be the favorite for the QB1 role heading into training camp after the Saints took him in the second round of April's NFL Draft. As it currently stands, both QBs should have an opportunity to make a case for the Week 1 starting role throughout camp and preseason play, though there's an outside chance New Orleans could bring in a more seasoned QB via free agency or trade. |
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Tyler Shough Tyler Shough Opportunity for QB1 role as rookie
Sat, May 10, 2025, 10:07 AM
Shough is lined up to be the Saints' starting quarterback next season after Derek Carr (shoulder) announced his retirement Saturday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Coming into the weekend, there were already questions about Carr's potential availability for the 2025 campaign due to the veteran quarterback's shoulder issue, and his decision to retire has left the Saints with a QB room featuring Shough, Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener. Rattler struggled as a rookie last year, completing just 57 percent of his passes while posting a 4:5 TD:INT, but he did rush for 146 yards on just 18 carries and could get a chance to begin the season as the starter behind center given that he is the most experienced of the group. However, Shough should at least have the opportunity to battle for the Week 1 starting role and may be the favorite for the job after the Saints took him the second round of April's NFL Draft. Though he's an NFL rookie, Shough is 26 years old, so New Orleans has little incentive to stash him on the bench for development purposes, but there's always a possibility the organization brings in a more experienced quarterback via free agency or trade. |
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Derek Carr Derek Carr Announces retirement
Sat, May 10, 2025, 9:52 AM
Carr (shoulder) has decided to retire from the NFL, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Carr ended the 2024 season on the sidelines with a broken left hand and an oblique injury that he suffered in Week 14 against the Giants. He later suffered a labral tear in his right shoulder while gearing up for the 2025 season. Tyler Shough, taken in the second round of the 2025 Draft, could emerge as New Orleans' starting QB with Carr retiring. |
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Derek Carr Derek Carr Shoulder situation remains murky
Tue, May 6, 2025, 6:58 PM
Carr (shoulder) has been to New Orleans twice in recent weeks to meet with the Saints' team doctor, Jane Slater of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Carr ended the 2025 season on the sidelines with a broken left hand and an oblique injury that he suffered in Week 14 against the Giants, but it has now come to light that his current shoulder issue stems from that same game. The quarterback apparently didn't notice the injury to his throwing shoulder when he was shut down from throwing while recovering from the aforementioned injuries. Once he began ramping up for the team's spring program, he noticed the shoulder issue. Carr has yet to make a decision on if he'll undergo surgery on the ailing shoulder and his availability for the 2025 campaign remains unclear, but a decision is expected to be made in the near future. |
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Derek Carr Derek Carr New Orleans awaiting clarity
Wed, Apr 23, 2025, 3:06 PM
Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said Wednesday that Carr "does have an issue with his shoulder" and that the team is "hoping to get some resolution and clarity on that in the near future," Katherine Terrell of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Loomis outwardly declined to answer any questions about Carr's injury or status with the team at Wednesday's press conference, additionally refusing to answer affirmatively or negatively when asked whether New Orleans' starting quarterback is currently on the roster, per John Sigler of USA Today. Carr is reportedly considering shoulder surgery that could impact his availability for 2025 due to a previously undisclosed injury, with speculation that the decision is related to dissatisfaction with the Saints and a desire to move on. Due to the veteran quarterback's contract being restructured in March, he is owed roughly $40 million guaranteed in salary and bonuses this season. |
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Chris Olave Chris Olave Fifth-year option to be picked up
Wed, Apr 23, 2025, 12:42 PM
Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said Wednesday that the team plans to exercise the fifth-year option on Olave's (concussion) contract, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Olave, a 2022 first-round pick, will now have his rookie contract run through 2026, with its final year projected at a guaranteed $16.8 million salary. The star wideout missed the final eight games of 2024 due to a concussion -- his second of the season -- though he did resume practicing in full for the regular season's final two weeks. New head coach called Olave a "phenomenal player" at the 2025 NFL owners meeting early APril, per Michael Rothstein of ESPN, expressing that the team has a plan moving forward to factor "the circumstances he is in" from a medical perspective. |
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Derek Carr Derek Carr Wants out of New Orleans?
Wed, Apr 16, 2025, 8:41 AM
Carr's discussion of shoulder surgery may be related to dissatisfaction with the Saints and a desire to be released, according to Mike Triplett and Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football.
Analysis: Carr reportedly preferred to be released earlier this offseason, but the Saints instead did a simple contract restructure to shift more of his cap hit to future seasons without adding/removing money. It was then revealed last week that the 34-year-old QB is considering surgery for a previously unreported shoulder injury, and with a recovery timeline that could keep him out for the start of the 2025 season. It's hard to say exactly what's going on here, but it is clear that fantasy managers shouldn't assume Carr will be the Week 1 starter in New Orleans under new head coach Kellen Moore. The other options under contract are Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener and Ben DiNucci, which makes the Saints a top candidate to draft a QB on Day 1 or 2 next week. |
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