Jake Haener Injury News & Updates

The Saints signed Haener to the practice squad Tuesday.

Haener will return to New Orleans on the practice squad after being let go from the active roster Saturday. Haener would be a candidate to be elevated to the active roster as an emergency quarterback or as a backup if Spencer Rattler or Tyler Shough were to miss time.

The Saints waived Haener on Saturday, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Haener was cut by New Orleans last week but signed with the team's practice squad after he cleared waivers. If he clears waivers again, it would make sense for the quarterback to return to the practice squad.

The Saints signed Haener off their practice squad Tuesday.

After falling behind Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough in the competition for the Saints' starting quarterback job during the preseason, Haener was cut last week, but he ended up sticking in the organization as a member of the practice squad upon clearing waivers. Haener didn't have to wait long to land back on the 53-man roster, as the Saints had a spot available for him after releasing safety J.T. Gray on Monday. Haener will still slot in third on the depth chart at quarterback and is likely to remain inactive most weeks while both Rattler and Shough are available.

The Saints signed Haener to the practice squad Wednesday,Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Haener lost his roster spot Tuesday after beginning the preseason in a competition to be the Saints' starter. New Orleans currently only has Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough on its active roster, so Haener may be elevated for game days.

New Orleans waived Haener on Tuesday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Haener, a 2023 fourth-round pick, entered training camp in competition with Spencer Rattler and rookie Tyler Shough for the Week 1 starting gig, but he quickly became solidified as the No. 3 option on the depth chart. He'll likely resurface on the practice squad and serve as the Saints' emergency third-string quarterback, assuming he clears waivers.

Haener completed five of his eight pass attempts for 41 yards and an interception during Sunday's 27-13 preseason loss to the Chargers.

Haener took the field after second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler and rookie Tyler Shough. The 2023 fourth-round pick was intercepted on his fifth passing attempt, ending the first of two offensive series that he played in the fourth quarter. Haener, Rattler and Shough came into training camp all competing for the Saints' starting job, but the latter two have been getting the bulk of first-team reps in practice. As of today, Haener appears set to serve as the emergency quarterback for New Orleans this year. His next opportunity to climb the depth chart this preseason will come against the Jaguars on Sunday, Aug. 17.

Haener (oblique) worked with the first-team offense at Wednesday's practice, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Haener suffered a multi-week oblique injury back in May but is healed and receiving work with New Orleans' offensive starters. New coach Kellen Moore has made it clear that all three of Haener, Spencer Rattler and second-round rookie Tyler Shough will get run with the first team at least through the first preseason game. Haener appeared in eight regular-season games last season, making one start, and completed 18 of 39 passes for 226 yards (5.8 yards per attempt), one touchdown and one interception.

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 late July, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

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. His participation in the team's three-way contest for the Week 1 starting job could be on pause until training camp, leaving increased reps 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, could also push for some opportunities at OTAs with Haener unavailable.

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.

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 long shot 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.

Haener completed 18 of 39 passes for 226 yards and one touchdown to one interception during eight regular-season appearances for the Saints in 2024. He also recorded 11 rushing attempts for 22 yards.

Haener failed to impress during any of his significant opportunities this season. The second-year quarterback came in for mop-up duty during back-to-back blowouts in Week 1 and Week 2, and he stepped in when QB1 Derek Carr suffered an oblique injury Week 5. But, the Saints started rookie Spencer Rattler when Carr missed the following three games. Haener didn't get his first chance to start until the Week 15 loss to the Commanders, in which he was benched after completing four of 10 passes for 39 yards and an interception in the first half. Haener never saw the field again for the rest of the season, as New Orleans started Rattler for the final three games. In two seasons, Haener has thrown just one touchdown and has passed for over 100 yards once. The Saints don't appear to have a surefire long-term plan at quarterback after back-to-back underwhelming seasons with the 33-year-old Carr. Given Haener's apparent lack of growth and production, it's unlikely he'll be anything more than a QB2, or possibly even QB3,

Haener completed 4 of 10 passes for 49 yards and one interception during Sunday's 20-19 loss against Washington.

Haener was making his first career start in place of injured signal-caller Derek Carr, who suffered a concussion and hand fracture during last week's win over the Giants. But, the second-year quarterback struggled against the Commanders' middling defense and tossed an interception during the first half. This led New Orleans to bench Haener for rookie Spencer Rattler coming out of halftime. The Saints went on four scoring drives in the second half and came up just short on a last-second two-point conversion attempt that would have won the game. Rattler went 10-for-21 passing for 135 yards and a touchdown during the second half. Given each quartrback's performance Sunday, it's likely that Rattler get the start ahead of Haener for next week's contest against the Packers on Monday, Dec. 23.

Saints coach Darren Rizzi said Friday that Haener will start Sunday's game against the Commanders.

Rizzi hinted at the outcome a day earlier, choosing Haener over Spencer Rattler while Derek Carr recovers from a concussion and hand fracture. The Saints hope to get Carr back within the next few weeks, but it won't be surprising if Haener ends up making multiple starts in an injury-riddled offense that's currently without WR Chris Olave (concussion), WR Rashid Shaheed (knee) and TE Taysom Hill (knee).

Interim coach Darren Rizzi reportedly named Haener the Saints' starting quarterback for Sunday's game against the Commanders, according to Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football.

With Derek Carr destined for at least one absence due to a fracture in his left, non-throwing hand and also a concussion, Haener and Spencer Rattler are the candidates to fill in for the veteran signal-caller. A 2023 fourth-round pick, Haener is in line to get the nod over Rattler this weekend for what will be his first career start. In seven overall appearances as a pro, Haener has completed 14 of 29 passes for 177 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions and notched 10 carries for 15 yards.

Saints coach Darren Rizzi said Wednesday that he'll likely wait until Friday to choose between Haener, Derek Carr (head/hand) and Spencer Rattler as the starting QB for Sunday's game at Green Bay, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Haener is arguably the favorite at this point, having taken over in Sunday's 14-11 win over the Giants after Carr suffered a hand fracture and a concussion. The Saints don't plan to put Carr on injured reserve, or even rule him out for Week 15, but he'll face an uphill battle to clear concussion protocol and also prove that he can play with a fractured non-throwing hand. Haener split practice reps Wednesday with Rattler, whose three starts in October saw the Saints outscored by a combined margin of 110 to 45.

Haener did not attempt a pass but logged one carry on a knee-down play during Sunday's 14-11 win against the Giants.

Haener took the reins after starting quarterback Derek Carr (hand/head) got injured on a rushing attempt late in the fourth quarter. The second-year backup wound up playing just a handful of snaps, taking a sack and handing the ball off three times before lining up in victory formation on the final play of the game. Carr was removed for a concussion evaluation to go along with a hand injury, and reports following the game indicated that he's feared to have suffered a fractured left hand, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. If that's the case, then Carr availability for the remainder of year would certainly be up in the air, leaving Haener as the likely candidate to step in as the new QB1 since rookie signal-caller Spencer Rattler was ruled a healthy scratch Week 14. The Saints will next play versus the Commanders on Sunday, Dec. 15.

Haener is expected to serve as the Saints' No. 2 quarterback behind Derek Carr (oblique) in Sunday's matchup against the Panthers, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

The 2023 fourth-round pick out of Fresno State took over for Spencer Rattler midway through the third quarter of Sunday's loss to the Chargers. Haener completed nine of his 17 pass attempts for 122 yards while adding 10 rushing yards on two carries in Week 8, and it now appears that performance was enough to secure New Orleans' top backup quarterback role from Rattler moving forward.

Haener completed 9 of 17 passes for 122 yards during Sunday's 26-8 loss versus the Chargers.

Haener took over after rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler was benched with the Saints down 16-5 midway through the third quarter. The second-year signal-caller has been the No. 2 quarterback while usual starter Derek Carr (oblique) has been sidelined for the past three weeks. But, he's now taken over during the second half of back-to-back losses for New Orleans, completing 12 of 21 passes for 160 yards and one touchdown. Haener hasn't brought much more efficiency than Rattler, and there's no reason to imagine that either will have much success given the current state of New Orleans' offense. Though this may not ultimately matter since Carr is expected to be back for next week's game versus the Panthers on Sunday, Nov. 3.

Haener is slated to work as the backup to Week 6 starter Spencer Rattler for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers with Derek Carr (oblique) considered week-to-week, Katherine Terrell of ESPN reports.

Haener entered Monday's loss to the Chiefs in relief of an injured Carr on New Orleans' final drive, but it's Rattler who has been named the Week 6 starter. In limited action versus Kansas City, Haener completed two of seven pass attempts for 17 yards and rushed twice for 11 yards. Head coach Dennis Allen declined to specify why Rattler has been chosen over Haener, but the 2023 fourth-round pick will remain in command of a backup role versus Tampa Bay.

Haener entered Monday's loss to the Chiefs after starter Derek Carr (oblique) left the contest late due to injury, Mike Triplett of New Orleans Football reports.

Haener entered Monday's contest late and completed two of seven pass attempts for 17 yards while rushing twice for 11 yards in the eventual loss. Despite finishing with the same number of rushing attempts as passing, the Fresno State alum is not considered a rushing quarterback. Haener did complete 69 percent of his passes over a four-year collegiate career, so he would need to provide voluminous passing stats in any spot starts Carr may require (if any).

Haener carried three times for minus-3 yards in Sunday's 44-19 win over the Cowboys.

Haener has opened the season as the Saints' No. 2 quarterback, backing up Derek Carr in both of the team's first two contests while Spencer Rattler has been a healthy inactive as the third man on the depth chart. With Carr leading the Saints to blowout wins over the Panthers and Cowboys, Haener has seen garbage-time action in the fourth quarter of both contests. The two late-game cameos represented his first NFL appearances, as Haener didn't see any action with the Saints as a fourth-round rookie a season ago.

Heaner is listed as a co-backup quarterback on the Saints' depth chart, Katherine Terrell of ESPN reports.

Heaner and Spencer Rattler are both listed as the backup to Derek Carr on the team's depth chart. They will likely spend the remainder of the week leading up to Sunday's game versus Carolina battling it out in practice for the backup spot.

Haener started Sunday's 30-27 preseason loss to the Titans and completed eight of 17 passes for 87 yards, without a touchdown or interception. He added one rushing attempt for six yards.

Haener and Spencer Rattler alternated two-possession chunks under center, but Rattler led three touchdown drives and got points on all four of his four possessions, while the Saints sputtered to just three points on Haener's six drives. Any slim lead Haener had in the competition to begin the regular season as Derek Carr's top backup likely evaporated with this poor performance, but it's possible the Saints will opt to keep the 2023 fourth-round draft pick on their 53-man roster, even if the rookie fifth-round pick Rattler now looks like the favorite to occupy the second spot on the quarterback depth chart for the Sept. 8 regular-season opener against the Panthers.

Haener completed seven of 13 passes for 76 yards during Sunday's 16-10 preseason loss to the 49ers. He also logged one rush for two yards.

Haener was the first Saints' quarterback to follow starter Derek Carr during the team's preseason opener, but he flipped spots with rookie Spencer Rattler on Sunday. However, niether quarterback performed particularly well, as both failed to lead a touchdown drive against the 49ers. They also both played exactly 24 offensive snaps. With the competition for the No. 2 quarterback spot apparently at a dead heat, it's likely that New Orleans' final decision on this job should come down to the coming week's practices followed by the preseason finale against Tennessee on Sunday, Aug. 25.

Haener completed nine of 13 passes for 107 yards during Saturday's 16-14 preseason win against the Cardinals. He also rushed once for three yards.

Haener relieved starting quarterback Derek Carr after he and the rest of the team's first-team offense came out of the game following their second offensive series. While the 25-year-old backup did not score himself, he did lead back-to-back field-goal drives in the second quarter. This included the biggest highlight of the game when he heaved a 58-yard pass down the left sideline for second-year wideout A.T. Perry, setting up kicker Blake Grupe for a 33-yard field goal as time expired in the first half. He then turned the reins over to rookie signal-caller Spencer Rattler for the second half. These two will continue to compete for the No.2 quarterback job heading into New Orleans' second preseason game at San Francisco on Sunday.

Haener participated fully in practice Wednesday, Todd Graffagnini of the Saints' official site reports.

Haener missed Monday's session as he was slated to undergo a procedure to remove a cancerous growth on his right cheek. After Tuesday's scheduled off day, Haener resumed practicing with his teammates Wednesday, and is once again in line to continue competing with Spencer Rattler for backup slotting behind top QB Derek Carr.

Haener, who developed a rare form of skin cancer on his facial area, will have a procedure Monday to address the issue, Luke Loffredo of the USA Today reports.

The reports notes that Haener is expected back at practice Wednesday, following the Saints off day on Tuesday. Once the 2023 fourth-rounder returns to the field, he and fifth-round draft pick Spencer Rattler are in line to compete for backup slotting behind top QB Derek Carr.

Haener revealed Friday that he has a rare form of skin cancer on his face and will have an evaluation August 1 to determine his treatment plan moving forward, Mike Triplett of New Orleans.Football reports.

Haener added that the condition isn't believed to be life-threatening, but he is still determining whether to put off treatment. If Haener opts to put off treatment, he would likely continue to compete against rookie fifth-round draft pick Spencer Rattler for the backup quarterback job behind Derek Carr throughout training camp and the preseason.

Haener appears to be the early frontrunner to serve as the QB2 for the Saints this offseason, John Hendrix of Sports Illustrated reports.

Haener was suspended for the first six games of his 2023 campaign and has yet to make his NFL debut. But, the 6-foot-1 signal caller should have a chance to establish himself as QB2 after New Orleans made several changes at the quarterback position this offseason. Last year's No.2 QB Jameis Winston signed with the Colts in March. Meanwhile, the Saints signed veteran backup Nathan Peterman and fourth-year quarterback Kellen Mond this offseason before selecting Spencer Rattler in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Carr is still clearly set as the starter, but the competition for QB2 figures to be wide open this offseason. Haener's experience within the Saints' quarterback room should give him an immediate leg up on Peterman, Mond and Rattler. 33-year-old Taysom Hill is also listed as a quarterback by the Saints, but he's better described as a multi-use player who regularly slots in at positions across the offense and special teams. It's highly unlikely that the team will carry more than three quarterbacks o

Haener did not appear in a game during his 2023 rookie season.

Haener was suspended for the first six games of the season and never appeared in any games as a rookie. The fourth-round pick likely never would have seen the field even if he was not suspended, as veteran Jameis Winston appeared firmly planted as the Saints' primary backup quarterback behind Derek Carr heading into the regular season. The starting signal-caller was knocked out of three games due to injuries this season, and Winston handled the remainder of quarterback reps in his absence. Haener will likely get an opportunity to compete with Winston for the No. 2 quarterback spot heading into the 2024 campaign.

Haener (coach's decision) is inactive and will serve as the Saints' emergency quarterback Sunday against Carolina.

Haener has yet to see game action since being taken in the fourth round of this year's draft. Earlier in the week there appeared to be a chance that he would suit up this Sunday to work behind Jameis Winston with Derek Carr in concussion protocol and dealing with multiple injuries, but Carr ultimately was cleared to suit up against the Panthers. As such, Haener will be eligible to play in the contest only if the two QBs ahead of him are injured.

Haener (suspension) was reinstated from the NFL on Monday, John Hendrix of SI.com reports.

Haener will return to the Saints after completing his six-game suspension for violating the league's performance enhancing drugs policy. The rookie will be back in his role as the team's third, maybe fourth-string quarterback behind the likes of Derek Carr, Jameis Winston and possibly Taysom Hill.

The NFL is suspending Haener for six games for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs, Kat Terrell of ESPN reports.

The rookie fourth-round pick otherwise would've started his career as the Saints' third or fourth quarterback, behind Derek Carr, Jameis Winston and possibly Taysom Hill. It won't impact the team's plans for this season but will cost Haener a lot of money and could hurt his standing with the organization moving forward.

Haener went 17-for-38 passing for 172 yards and two interceptions during Sunday's 17-13 preseason loss to the Texans.

Haener finishes the preseason going 38-for-72 for 395 yards and one touchdown to three interceptions across the Saints' three exhibitions. The rookie signal-caller showed some flashes throughout these games, but it seems clear that he still needs some time to catch up to NFL starting defenses. In the meantime, Jameis Winston, who completed 11 of 16 passes for 93 yards and a touchdown Sunday, should have the Saints No. 2 quarterback spot locked for the 2023 season, giving Haener additional time to learn and develop as a potential long-term successor to current starter Derek Carr.

Haener went 10-of-17 passing for 105 yards and one touchdown to one interception in Sunday's 26-24 preseason victory over Kansas City.

Haener played the entire second half alongside most of the Saints' second- and third-team offensive players. The fourth-round rookie got off to a rough start with three straight incompletions on his first two offensive series, including an interception when he overthrew Saints wideout James Washington near midfield. Haener did bounce back with a seven-play, 76-yard drive that ended with a two-yard touchdown pass to running back Ellis Merriweather, pulling New Orleans within one point at just under 1.5 minutes remaining. Overall, Haener performed alright given the noticeable struggles from the Saints' backup offensive line, though it seems unlikely that he'll push veteran Jameis Winston for the No. 2 quarterback spot anytime soon.

Haener is doing well during camp and accomplished another good showing Wednesday, Sean Fazende reports.

Haener has been hitting his targets during practice. Fazende specifically mentions him hitting Jesse James on a deep corner route, and another strong throw to Keith Kirkwood over the middle of the field. Selected in the fourth round of the 2023 Draft, Haener is expected to fall behind Derek Carr and Jameis Winston on the team's positional depth chart, but with Winston on the last year of his contract, it's possible Haener could ultimately be vying for the backup role to Carr.

The Saints selected Haener in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, 127th overall.

Haener is a very small quarterback (6-feet, 207 pounds), but in a league where Bryce Young goes first overall it should also make sense for a player like Haener to go in the fourth. The Fresno State product was a high-volume, high-efficiency passer for multiple seasons in college, throwing for 9,013 yards, 67 touchdowns and 17 interceptions in his final 29 games. At the combine Haener showed plus athleticism by logging a 35-inch vertical and 7.01-second three-cone drill, seemingly making him a quality depth project for the Saints.

The Saints selected Haener in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, 127th overall.

Haener is a very small quarterback (6-feet, 207 pounds), but in a league where Bryce Young goes first overall it should also make sense for a player like Haener to go in the fourth. The Fresno State product was a high-volume, high-efficiency passer for multiple seasons in college, throwing for 9,013 yards, 67 touchdowns and 17 interceptions in his final 29 games. At the combine Haener showed plus athleticism by logging a 35-inch vertical and 7.01-second three-cone drill, seemingly making him a quality depth project for the Saints.