Saints Backup QB Jake Haener Diagnosed with Rare Skin Cancer amid Training Camp
July 27, 2024
New Orleans Saints backup quarterback Jake Haener revealed to reporters that he has been diagnosed with a rare type of skin cancer (conversation begins around two-minute mark).
"It's not going be like a life-threatening thing right now," Haener told reporters (h/t ESPN's Katherine Terrell) from University of California, Irvine, where the Saints are holding training camp.
The 25-year-old Haener also revealed next steps.
"I have to get a different procedure done on my face," the ex-Fresno State star added. "So we're just trying to take the necessary steps in order to see how long I can wait until I have to get that procedure done."
Haener, who is still participating in training camp despite the diagnosis, was seen wearing a small bandage on his right cheek. He told reporters that he sought medical help after discovering an "odd-looking bump" that continued growing.
Haener then got a biopsy done the week before training camp and soon took action after the tests revealed it was cancerous.
"With these skin cancer things, if you wait, things spread, so I've just got to get it taken care of," he said.
Haener, a fourth-round pick in the 2023 draft, is also keeping a positive attitude as he undergoes treatment.
"I feel like I'm pretty young and healthy to be able to have something like that pop up," Haener said. "But I want to take care of it and be responsible about it, obviously not make it a distraction because I'm going to be fine, everything's going to be taken care of."
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