INJURY UPDATE: Saints Receive Concerning News on Rookie QB Tyler Shough After Win Over Buccaneers
New Orleans, Louisiana – December 12, 2025
The New Orleans Saints left Tampa Bay with a hard-fought 24-20 victory over the Buccaneers — a game in which rookie quarterback Tyler Shough delivered his most composed performance since entering the NFL. But before the team could fully enjoy the momentum, the Saints were hit with troubling news: Shough suffered a shoulder injury and is now questionable for Week 15.
Shough was hurt in the third quarter after taking a heavy hit while attempting a deep throw. He stayed in for the remainder of the drive before heading to the medical tent for further evaluation. Initial assessments suggested the injury “wasn’t too serious,” but Monday’s in-depth tests revealed a more complicated issue than the team first anticipated.

It’s a gut-punch for a franchise that has watched Shough grow significantly in recent weeks. Against the Buccaneers, the rookie threw for 242 yards, one touchdown, and avoided costly mistakes — a sign of maturity and poise far beyond his early-season struggles.
Head coach Kellen Moore didn’t hide his concern when addressing the situation:
“Tyler has been progressing so quickly that we’ve had to expand the playbook every week. But then you get moments where the body speaks up, and you’re forced to face something no team wants to hear. Losing him, even for one game, changes how we prepare — sometimes a single piece is what holds the whole system together.”
If Shough is unable to play in Week 15, the Saints will likely turn to backup Jake Haener — who has seen limited action this season and lacks experience handling high-pressure situations. That means even more responsibility will fall on Alvin Kamara, Chris Olave, and the rest of the offensive unit.
The victory over Tampa Bay kept New Orleans firmly in the NFC South race, but the road ahead is anything but easy. At a time when belief is finally building around this young quarterback, losing the fastest-developing player on the roster threatens to disrupt the entire offensive rhythm.
Now, the biggest question in New Orleans is this:
Can Tyler Shough return in time to keep the Saints’ playoff push on track?
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