Saints WR Rashid Shaheed Takes Punt Return Over 50 Yards To House
Oct 13, 2024, 12:19 PM | Updated: 8:15 pm
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 22: Rashid Shaheed #22 of the New Orleans Saints reacts to missing a catch against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter at Caesars Superdome on September 22, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Gus Stark/Getty Images)
(Photo by Gus Stark/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS – Former Weber State wide receiver Rashid Shaheed ran in his first special teams touchdown of the year in week six against the Buccaneers on Sunday.
It was far from his first score of the season though. Through the first five weeks, Shaheed pulled down three receiving touchdowns.
Former @weberstatefb WR @RashidShaheed with the punt return TD! 🤯#LocalsInTheNFL #Saints #WeAreWeber #NFL @kslsports
— Chandler Holt (@CHoltSports) October 13, 2024
After catching the ball near midfield, the former Wildcat went toward the right sideline and maneuvered through Tampa Bay defenders.
Once he reached the 20-yard line, there was nothing but open field in front of him and he high-stepped into the end zone.
The return TD was the Saints’ first score of the game, and the Bucs’ lead dropped from 14 to seven.
🔥🔥🔥 https://t.co/S0iAhZUas3 pic.twitter.com/k0BCO602tI
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) October 13, 2024
Although the return was Shaheed’s first touch of the game, he has been a top target in the Saints’ offense this season.
So far this year, the third-year receiver has 19 receptions for 338 yards and three touchdowns. On special teams, he has returned seven punts for 87 yards and five kickoffs for 146 yards.
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About Rashid Shaheed
Shaheed signed with the Saints in April 2022 after he wasn’t selected in the 2022 NFL Draft.
The former Wildcat reportedly received one of the top contracts for an undrafted player that season.
According to Joel Erickson of the Indianapolis Star, Shaheed signed a deal with the Saints that included the sixth-highest amount of guaranteed money for a UDFA signing in 2022. FCS Analyst Sam Herder reported that Shaheed’s contract featured a guaranteed base salary of $207,000 and a signing bonus of $15,000.
The San Diego, CA native finished his Weber State career as the FCS all-time leader in kickoff return touchdowns (seven). In 53 games with the Wildcats, Shaheed set the Weber State record for kickoff return average at 29.1 yards per return. As a senior, Shaheed was named an FCS First Team All-American as both a kick returner and punt returner. Shaheed is the only Weber State Wildcat to be named as an All-American four different times.
YOU WANT TOUCHDOWNS? WE GOT TOUCHDOWNS!
🏈: @Saints vs. @AZCardinals#TNFonPrime | Watch NOW on @PrimeVideo pic.twitter.com/3GEFA6UUdv
— NFL on Prime Video (@NFLonPrime) October 21, 2022
As a rookie in 2022, Shaheed recorded 28 receptions for 488 yards and two touchdowns. He also had four rushes for 57 yards and a touchdown. In the return game, Shaheed had over 500 total yards on kickoffs and punts.
Last season, he posted 46 receptions for 719 yards and five touchdowns. Shaheed also returned a total of 43 punts and kicks for 723 yards and a touchdown.
About #LocalsInTheNFL
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Whether they attended Utah or BYU or grew up in the Beehive State, we keep you caught up with how the locals are performing on the highest stage.
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