In a zig rather than a predictable zag, the New Orleans Saints have determined that their starting quarterback, Derek Carr, will not be making any daring throws or emergency sprints against the Washington Commanders today. Official word of Carr's status was declared after his left-hand injury, paired with concussion protocol concerns, made it impossible for him to be considered fit for play. As reported by CBS19 News, the 33-year-old's sidelined status was solidified yesterday.
Rather than the greenhorn Spencer Rattler, it will be Jake Haener—hardly a grizzled vet himself, having never made a career start—taking the reins as the Saints' starting quarterback. Haener may have a meager track record with only 177 yards and a single touchdown to his name, but an injury to Carr earlier in the season had Rattler start three, shall we say, learning-opportunity filled games which didn't turn the tide for the Saints in any of them, as they navigated dangerously through a seven-game skid. Rattler's performance stats, obtained from a WWLTV article, include 571 yards, one touchdown and being intercepted twice.
The Saints' adjustments this week aren't limited to just quarterback shuffles. In a move that could disrupt the Commanders' offense, the Saints will be reactivating Tanoh Kpassagnon from the physically unable to perform list. At the same time, they've placed linebacker D'Marco Jackson on injured reserve, as noted by both CBS19 News and WWLTV. For fans wondering about wide receiver Bub Means' noticeable absence on the field, his continued recovery from an ankle injury confirms he won't be making any plays today either.
While the QB conundrum continues for the Saints, they at least seem clear on one thing: Carr's condition is on an upswing. "We're not ruling Derek out for this game at the moment. We'll kind of see how his hand is progressing, and it is improving," interim coach Darren Rizzi told ABC News, before the final decision to rule him out had been made. His potential availability for backup duties or as the emergency third quarterback, while a fleeting consideration, has been settled with his official ruling out. As the team faces a pivotal game without their leading man, the focus shifts to Haener and whether his limited in-game experience will develop into full-fledged leadership under the dome today.
