New Orleans Saints quarterback Jake Haener has revealed that he has been diagnosed with a rare form of skin cancer.
Haener shared his diagnosis when asked about a small circular adhesive bandage on his right cheek during training camp on Friday.
The 25-year-old, a second-year pro at Fresno State, declined to share a specific diagnosis but said he learned just over a week ago that he had a type of skin cancer that is rare in people his age.
“It was something that just popped up. I was a little worried about it. My family was a little worried, too. It was kind of a fluke,” Haener said.
The 2023 fourth-round draft pick saw a dermatologist, had the blemish removed and a biopsy resulted in a cancer diagnosis.
Jake Haener has revealed that he has been diagnosed with a rare form of skin cancer.
Haener, who has participated in the first three practices of Saints camp on the campus of the University of California, Irvine, said he is unsure how much his diagnosis will interfere with his football schedule.
He has an appointment on Aug. 1, after which doctors will decide the course of treatment and how long he could delay that treatment if it interfered with his NFL career.
“When things like this come up, you have to deal with them,” Haener said.
“My family was great. The training staff was excellent in dealing with me.”
Haener is the second Saints player in two years to be diagnosed with cancer.
Last summer, tight end Foster Moreau underwent treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma. His cancer was in full remission before training camp and he played in 15 games last season.
Haener shared his diagnosis during New Orleans Saints training camp on Friday.
Haener was optimistic about his prospects for a full recovery.
“I’m mentally fine. It’s something I have to sort out and take the necessary steps,” Haener said.
‘I feel young and healthy enough for something like this to happen, but I want to take care of it.
“I want to be responsible about it, obviously I don’t want it to be a distraction because I’m going to be fine… I don’t want to wait too long with something like that. I want it to be resolved.”