This season hasn’t gone according to plan for the New Orleans Saints. After a 2-0 start, the team has lost seven of their last eight games, head coach Dennis Allen was fired, and their top three wide receivers (Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and Bub Means) are on injured reserve. What happened to Shaheed, and is there a chance he will return this season? Let’s examine the latest injury update on New Orleans’ deep threat.
How Did Rashid Shaheed Get Injured?
It’s unclear when Shaheed suffered his knee injury. The speedster finished the Saints’ Week 6 vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, seemingly coming out unharmed.
However, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport followed up with an ominous tweet prior to New Orleans’ Week 7 game against the Denver Broncos.
One to keep an eye on: #Saints electric WR/returner Rashid Shaheed did not practice today for a knee injury described as concerning, source said.
His status going forward is TBD. pic.twitter.com/69r9XYo7eX
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 14, 2024
Not only was Shaheed ruled out for the Week 7 contest, it turns out he needed meniscus surgery that ended his 2024 season.
The surgery comes with a four-to-six-month recovery timeline, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The timeline indicates that Shaheed underwent a full repair, which is better for the long-term health of his knee. Had he opted for a trim, that could have led to some issues down the road, but he could have returned in 4-6 weeks.
Shaheed was playing really well prior to getting hurt. Through six games, he caught 20 passes for 349 yards and three touchdowns.
What Is Rashid Shaheed’s Contract Status?
Luckily for Shaheed, the former undrafted free agent out of FCS Weber State has already gotten some insurance for 2025.
Before training camp this season, Shaheed signed a one-year, $5.2 million extension to keep him tied to New Orleans through 2025.
“Absolutely a blessing” 🫶
Shaheed speaks on his contract extension pic.twitter.com/DL44Cexr6f
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) July 27, 2024
Shaheed has a void year in 2026, which the Saints frequently use for cap accounting measures. That means he will hit unrestricted free agency after 2025, barring another extension.
The 4-6 month recovery timeline means that Shaheed should be ready by February to April, putting him in play to participate in spring OTAs and minicamp. That should give him plenty of time to ramp up for the 2025 season.
How Does Shaheed’s Absence Impact the Saints?
Injuries to Shaheed, Olave, Means, Derek Carr, and Cedrick Wilson Jr. depleted the Saints’ offense. While Carr has returned from his oblique injury, he’s missing his top three wide receivers and will be without them for the foreseeable future.
With Olave potentially out for the remainder of the season, like Shaheed, and Means on IR until at least Week 14, the Saints are relying on reserves such as Mason Tipton, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Kevin Austin Jr., and Dante Pettis.
New Orleans pulled off a shocking 20-17 upset of the Atlanta Falcons in Week 10, with Valdes-Scantling stepping up and recording three catches for 109 yards and two touchdowns.
Still, there’s no question that New Orleans’ offense, and particularly their passing attack, has been significantly worse without Shaheed in the lineup.
Prior to his injury, Shaheed had emerged as one of the best deep threats in the NFL, as his 17.4 yards per reception ranked fifth in the NFL through Week 6.