Shoulder damage forces Saints QB Carr to retire

NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr is retiring, the crew introduced Saturday.

The crew stated that Carr had a labral tear and degenerative rotator cuff injury to his proper, throwing shoulder that was once found out in past due March after Carr ramped up throwing to organize for the season. The Saints stated Carr had no longer thrown considerably since he fractured his non-throwing hand all the way through a recreation in opposition to the New York Giants in December.

According to the crew, surgical operation was once an choice, however that may have put the 2025 season in jeopardy, and Carr made up our minds to retire as an alternative.

Derek Carr has introduced his retirement.

In past due March, whilst ramping up his preparation for the 2025 season, Derek skilled ache in his proper shoulder. It was once his first time throwing a soccer at vital quantity since convalescing from each a concussion and left hand… pic.twitter.com/SrcJEzDDnU

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) May 10, 2025

“Surgery was an option, jeopardizing the entire 2025 season, yet there was no guarantee Derek would return to the level of strength, function and performance of play to which he was accustomed,” the Saints stated in a written commentary.

Carr, a 2014 second-round draft pick out by way of the Raiders, retires after 11 seasons. He spent the primary 9 seasons of his occupation with the Raiders prior to signing a four-year contract price as much as $150 million with New Orleans all the way through the 2023 unfastened company duration.

Carr, 34, began 169 video games for 2 groups and finishes with a 77-92-0 report as a starter. He finished 61.5% of his passes for 41,245 yards, 257 touchdowns and 112 interceptions.

“Upon reflection of prayer, and in discussion with [his wife,] Heather, I’ve decided to retire from the National Football League” Carr stated in a commentary launched by way of the crew. “For more than 11 years, we have been incredibly blessed, and we are forever grateful and humbled by this experience. It’s difficult to find the right words to express our thanks to all the teammates, coaches, management, ownership, team officials and especially the fans who made this journey so special. Your unwavering support has meant the world to us.”

The New Orleans quarterbacks room now is composed of 2025 second-round pick out Tyler Shough, 2024 fifth-round pick out Spencer Rattler and 2023 fourth-round pick out Jake Haener.

News of Carr’s damage was once made public in early April, even supposing either side were most commonly quiet prior to now month. Before the draft, the Saints stated they have been hoping for “clarity” at the state of affairs, and Carr’s first public feedback got here in past due April, when he stated he had a shoulder damage and brushed aside hypothesis about the problem.

Carr stated that he and the crew were in “constant communication” in regards to the damage.

“We’re figuring it out, and we’re going to go forward with that,” Carr stated April 28 all the way through a visitor sermon at Church LV in Las Vegas.