Rashid Shaheed will indeed be out for the remainder of the season. The Saints’ top vertical receiver underwent a full meniscus repair, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. 
When it was first learned Shaheed would undergo a procedure, it was not known if a meniscus trim or repair would be required. The outcome of his surgery would dictate his recovery timeline, and today’s update confirms a 2024 return will not be possible. Schefter adds Shaheed will be sidelined for four to six months.
Any missed time would be acutely felt in New Orleans’ offense given the 26-year-old’s importance to the team’s offense. Shaheed has averaged 17.5 yards per reception this year while also remaining an X-factor in the return game. Especially as Chris Olave misses Week 7 due to a concussion, the Saints will be highly limited in the passing game tonight.
Beyond their upcoming game against the Broncos, however, the Saints will miss Shaheed’s abilities as a deep threat. The former UDFA logged 14 combined starts during his first two years with the team, emerging as a legitimate No. 2 option along the way. He held that role through the opening six weeks of the current campaign, totaling 349 yards (a figure which leads the team) and three touchdowns on offense. Shaheed also leads the league in punt return average (15.9 yards) and he scored a touchdown in that department earlier in the year. New Orleans’ offense and special teams will be notably shorthanded moving forward.
As the Saints look to maintain their top-five ranking in scoring with rookie Spencer Rattler at quarterback for at least one more game, they will need to do so without a key contributor. Finding a way to replace Shaheed would of course also help in ending the team’s four-game losing streak and boost the chances of a playoff berth. Shaheed is under contract for 2025, the point at which he will next see game action.
Christian Kirk for a 5th?
For a 5th you might get James T. Kirk and some used Di lithium crystals.