Derek Carr injury update: NFL insider reveals timeline for Saints QB’s return

The New Orleans Saints (2-3) are expecting to be without quarterback Derek Carr for three to four weeks with his oblique injury, according to Jay Glazer of FOX Sports.

Carr, 33, sustained the injury in the fourth quarter of the 26-13 Week 5 road defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs (5-0). Spencer Rattler, the 2024 fifth round pick out of South Carolina, is making his debut in Sunday’s Week 6 home contest against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2). He will likely hold onto the starting job for the duration of Carr’s absence.

Carr, in his second season with the Saints after signing a four-year, $150 million deal in 2023, has thrown for 989 yards, eight touchdowns and four interceptions on 70.3% passing. The Saints had the league’s No. 1 ranked offense after the first two weeks but have cooled down significantly during their three-game losing streak.

After scoring 91 points in the first two games, New Orleans has put up just 49 points in its last three games. Rattler put up big numbers across four seasons at Oklahoma and South Carolina and is now tasked with steering the Saints’ offense in the right direction as they aim to stay afloat in the ultra-competitive NFC South.

Saints turn to Spencer Rattler amid Derek Carr injury

“It was exciting,” Rattler said this week of being named the starter, via the team’s website. “They have confidence in me, but I love our group. We’ve got so many talented dudes that I can lean on. And I don’t have to do too much, just facilitate the ball to them.

“I spoke to [offensive coordinator] Klint [Kubiak] about it. Klint said, hey, let’s have a great week, let’s prepare at a high level, put a great plan together. It was brief and short, and we got to work, so that was good.”

Rattler has plenty of weapons at his disposal. Those include the receiver tandem of Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed and running back Alvin Kamara.

“I feel like this game plan is going to allow him to go out and just play,” Shaheed said. “We know that they’re going to come out and throw a lot of different reads for him and try to throw him off his game. But we know he’s super confident and that’s kind of what carries his game, is his confidence. Smart player, and he’s going to play well.”