Saints lose breakout player to season-ending injury

Jan 2, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; The New Orleans Saints logo on the field before their game against the Carolina Panthers at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

The New Orleans Saints will be without one of their best playmakers for the remainder of the 2024 season.

Wide receiver Rashid Shaheed suffered a knee injury during the Saints’ 51-27 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 6. Head coach Dennis Allen then revealed on Wednesday that Shaheed would need meniscus surgery. It was unknown if doctors would perform a trim or full repair, the latter of which requires a longer recovery.

Shaheed had the surgery on Thursday, and doctors opted for a full meniscus repair. That means Shaheed will be out for 4-6 months, according to multiple reports.

Update: Doctors wound repairing the meniscus in Saints’ WR Rashid Shaheed’s knee today and he now faces a four-to-six month recovery, per source. Shaheed was placed on injured reserve and his season is over. pic.twitter.com/tyz8RSdZgB

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 17, 2024

Shaheed had been enjoying a breakout season with the Saints. After largely being a deep threat last year, the 26-year-old led the team through six games in targets with 41. He had 20 catches for 349 yards and 3 touchdowns.

The Saints are now dealing with numerous injuries heading into Thursday night’s game against the Denver Broncos. Derek Carr has been sidelined with an oblique injury, and Chris Olave will not play due to a concussion. Rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler will be facing an uphill climb in his second career NFL start.