The New Orleans Saints suffered a loss on Monday night when starting quarterback Derek Carr was injured during a game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Carr was hit by a defender on a fourth-down pass attempt, and his night ended early. Second-year quarterback Jake Haener, who also competed at Fresno State like Carr, stepped in for the Saints’ final offensive possession. An oblique injury is expected to force Carr to miss multiple games, according to a report from the NFL Network. Haener himself missed six games last season after failing a performance-enhancing drug test. The Saints coaching staff may consider giving rookie Spencer Rattler some playing time during Carr’s absence.
Despite Carr’s injury, the Saints have options at quarterback with Haener and potentially Rattler. Carr has a history of durability, recently appearing in all 17 games in the 2023 season despite dealing with a shoulder injury. The last time Carr missed a game due to injury was in 2017. Through five games this season, Carr has thrown for 989 yards and eight touchdowns against four interceptions. While he had success in the first two games, the Saints have struggled in their last three games. They will return to New Orleans in Week 6 to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Saints’ recent struggles come after a strong start to the season where they scored a combined 91 points in dominating wins over the Carolina Panthers and Dallas Cowboys. However, they have lost their last three games and will need to regroup in Carr’s absence. Haener, who replaced Carr in the last game, will likely take on a larger role in the offense while Carr recovers from his injury. With Rattler also potentially seeing playing time, the Saints will need to find a way to get back on track and improve their performance on the field.
Fans of the New Orleans Saints will be watching closely to see how the team responds to Carr’s injury and the recent string of losses. The Saints coaching staff will have to make adjustments to their game plan and utilize their quarterback options effectively to keep their season on track. Rattler, as a rookie, could provide an added dimension to the Saints’ offense while Haener steps in as the starting quarterback. The Saints will have a tough matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 6, and they will need to rally together as a team to turn their season back in the right direction.
As the Saints continue their season without Carr, they will have to rely on their depth at the quarterback position and the resilience of their team overall. Despite the challenges they have faced, the Saints have shown they are capable of strong performances and will look to bounce back from their recent setbacks. With Haener and potentially Rattler leading the offense in Carr’s absence, the Saints will be looking to rediscover their winning ways and get back on the path to success in the remainder of the season. Fans will be eagerly anticipating how the Saints respond to these challenges and how they can overcome them to achieve their goals for the season.
