Saints backup QB Jake Haener has rare form of skin cancer

IRVINE, Calif. — New Orleans Saints backup quarterback Jake Haener says he has been diagnosed with skin cancer.

The 25-year-old player would not say what type of cancer he has, but said it is rare at his age.

“It’s not life-threatening at this point,” said Haener, who had a small bandage on his face during Friday’s practice.

Haener said he will have a consultation with doctors next Thursday to determine next steps.

“I have to have another procedure done on my face,” he said. “So we’re just trying to take the necessary steps to see how long I can wait until I have to have that procedure done.”

Haener said he first noticed something was wrong when a “strange-looking lump” appeared on his face and continued to grow. A biopsy performed the week before camp revealed it was cancer.

“I was a little worried about it, and my family was too,” he said.

According to Haener, the only concern is waiting too long for the necessary procedure, as this could potentially allow the cancer to spread.

“If you wait to get skin cancer, it will just spread. I just have to get it treated,” he said.

Haener is the second Saints player to be diagnosed with cancer in the past year. Tight end Foster Moreau signed with the team in free agency last year after a team exam revealed signs of Hodgkin lymphoma. Moreau, 27, announced last July that he was in full remission after undergoing treatment following his initial diagnosis in March 2023.

“I feel pretty young and healthy to be able to go through something like this,” Haener said. “But I want to handle it and be responsible about it, and of course not distract from it, because I’m going to be fine, everything is going to be taken care of.”

Haener is currently battling rookie Spencer Rattler for the backup quarterback position behind Derek Carr. The Saints had their third practice of training camp on Friday and Haener was a full participant in every one.

Starting cornerback Marshon Lattimore left practice early on Friday with a hip flexor issue, according to New Orleans coach Dennis Allen.