Free-agent tight end Foster Moreau has Hodgkin lymphoma that was discovered during a routine physical conducted by the Saints’ medical team and will be stepping away from football, he announced on social media Wednesday.

“Through somewhat of a miraculous process, this free agency period has been life-changing for me,” Moreau wrote on Twitter. “During a routine physical conducted by the Saint’s medical team down in New Orleans, I’ve come to learn that I have Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, and will be stepping away from football at this time to fight a new opponent: Cancer.

“I’m grateful for the support and thankful for people who have stood firm with me. There hasn’t been a single step I’ve taken without hundreds of people lighting the path before me, and I will continue to seek their guidance. That being said, I’ll go kick this thing’s ass and get back to doing what I love! AMDG!”

Your Raider family is with you, Foster. 🖤 https://t.co/MM5yGGJ8zo

— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) March 22, 2023

Moreau, 25, was selected in the fourth round of the 2019 draft by the Raiders. He had 91 catches, 1,107 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns through four seasons with the franchise. He posted a career-high 33 receptions through 15 games for Las Vegas last season.

Moreau’s time with the Raiders

It didn’t take long after he was drafted in 2019 for Moreau to become a beloved figure within the Raiders’ organization. Whether he’s dealing with a teammate, coach, executive or media member, his gregarious personality is always on display. He also made an immediate impact on the field with five touchdowns across 13 games as a rookie before suffering a major setback in the form of a torn ACL.

He made an unusually quick recovery, however, and returned to play all 16 games the following season. That only deepened the respect he carried, which didn’t change despite an immense amount of roster turnover and both head coach and general manager changes since then. Another part of that is, despite the fact that he’s spent most of his time with the franchise for the past four seasons playing behind fellow tight end Darren Waller, he’s never complained about his role or made it an issue. Instead, he maintained his tireless work ethic — stepped in as a starter frequently the last two seasons as Waller battled injuries of his own — and helped the team stick together through rough off-the-field incidents in recent years involving the COVID-19 pandemic, Jon Gruden, Henry Ruggs III and Damon Arnette.

Moreau has been a consummate professional, which makes this news even more unfortunate considering he was likely due to cash in during free agency and potentially become a full-time starter for the first time in his career. Obviously, the focus now is his physical and mental health as he starts his quest toward recovery. We’re supposed to be objective as journalists, but I hope he’s able to overcome this illness and restart his playing career as quickly as possible. — Reed

(Photo: Ethan Miller / Getty)