The New Orleans Saints have announced that their starting quarterback, Derek Carr, is “very unlikely” to return this season due to a significant injury to his left hand. The injury, which involves multiple fractures, occurred during the Saints’ Week 14 victory against the New York Giants on December 8, 2024. Carr attempted a head-first dive and sustained the fractures, which are expected to take at least four weeks to heal. This timeline makes his return for the remainder of the 2024 season highly improbable.
Despite initial optimism from interim head coach Darren Rizzi that Carr might return by Week 16, further evaluations revealed that Carr would not be ready for contact anytime soon. This led to the conclusion that he is unlikely to play again this year, with the Saints now turning their attention to backup options.
In Carr’s absence, rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler will take over as the starting quarterback. Rattler, who performed better than backup Jake Haener in the team’s most recent game, will now have the opportunity to lead the offense for the remainder of the season. This situation also gives the Saints a chance to evaluate Rattler’s potential as their future quarterback, especially with their playoff hopes dwindling.
The Saints have faced a challenging season, with a current 5-8 record and few remaining playoff hopes. Injuries, including Carr’s hand fracture and the absence of key wide receiver Chris Olave, have contributed to their struggles. With a focus now on evaluating young talent like Rattler, the team is likely preparing for a rebuilding phase in the offseason.
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