New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr is retiring due to a shoulder injury that requires surgery, NFL Network is reporting. Carr took an injection for the injury and has worked through rehab, but medical evaluations determined that a surgical procedure was necessary to fully repair his right shoulder.
Surgery would have sidelined Carr for six months and meant that he would be on injured reserve through the 2025-26 season, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garofalo. Rather than go through that process, the 11-year veteran decided to retire.
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Carr, 34, was limited to 10 games last season due to a hand injury suffered while scrambling and leaping for a first down during a Week 14 matchup versus the New York Giants. While he later cleared concussion protocol, Carr believes that he also injured his right shoulder on that play and missed the final four games of the season.
While speaking at a church service in Las Vegas last week, Carr revealed that his shoulder was injured, disputing skepticism about its seriousness.
“Yes, I have to say this,” Carr said. “I hate that I have to say this, but I have to say this. Yes, I have a shoulder injury, despite what ESPN says. And what some lady on a podcast might think, OK?”
“I have an MRI report to prove it. The team knows about it,” he added. “We’ve been in constant communication. There’s nothing wrong. We’re figuring it out, and we’re gonna go forward with that.”
Carr confirmed his retirement decision, made with his wife Heather, with a statement on social media.
“Upon reflection of prayer, and in discussion with Heather, I’ve decided to retire from the National Football League,” he wrote.
Carr had two years remaining on the four-year, $150 million contract he signed with the Saints in 2023. But the team restructured the deal to effectively make it a one-year agreement while allowing New Orleans to save approximately $30 million on its salary cap.
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With Carr’s future uncertain, the Saints selected Louisville QB Tyler Shough in the second round of this year’s NFL Draft, adding him to a depth chart that includes Spencer Rattler, who started six games last season, and Jake Haener.
In his two seasons with the Saints, Carr threw for 6,023 yards, 40 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 27 games. He played his previous nine seasons with the Raiders, compiling 35,222 yards, 257 TDs and 112 INTs, while being named to four Pro Bowls and finishing third in MVP voting during the 2016 season.
This story will be updated.
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