August 18, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler (18) during the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Saints Announce Starting QB Against Buccaneers

Originally posted on Tampa Bay Buccaneers on SI
By David Harrison | Last updated Oct 9, 2024 6:48 PM ET

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been battling some injury issues this season, and face a Week 6 opponent in the New Orleans Saints who haven't had the best luck health-wise themselves.

As both teams try to keep pace with the NFC South Division-leading Atlanta Falcons, the Buccaneers knew one thing for certain; that they would not be facing Saints quarterback Derek Carr.

After being injured in his team's Week 5 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay knew Carr would be out for this contest, but didn't know until Wednesday which quarterback it would be facing on Sunday in New Orleans.

“We just internally talked a lot about it,” Saints head coach Dennis Allen told reporters on Wednesday according to LouisianaSports.net's Ross Jackson. “And felt like in this particular game that (Spencer Rattler) was going to give us the best chance to win. Both he and Jake (Haener) have been practicing extremely hard, preparing to be the starter.”

According to Jackson, Allen also shared that the coaching staff had previously determined that while Haener has been the team's second quarterback this season, it would be a week-to-week evaluation to determine who would replace Carr in case of injury.

Now, that time has come, and it will be the rookie facing the Bucs in hopes of getting the Saints their third win of the year. The Buccaneers will be looking for their fourth.

Rattler will be the third rookie quarterback Tampa Bay faces this season. In Week 1, Todd Bowles' team beat Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders. In Week 3, Bowles' squad came out lifeless and fell victim to Bo Nix and the Denver Broncos.

Which version of the Bowles-led Bucs will we see this Sunday against a third rookie? Right now, its hard to tell with the injuries and concerns on the homefront complicating matters. All we know is Buccaneers vs. Saints is never without some drama, so everyone will be ready for the unexpected to happen this Sunday inside the Superdome.