New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr is expected to be sidelined for several weeks after sustaining a significant fracture in his left hand during Sunday’s game against the New York Giants. The injury occurred on a run late in the fourth quarter when Carr attempted to hurdle a defender and landed awkwardly.
Carr’s injury has raised concerns about his availability for the remainder of the season. The Saints are currently still in the NFC South race, trailing the first-place Buccaneers. Despite Carr’s absence, the Saints managed to secure a narrow victory over the Giants after a missed field goal by the Giants late in the game.
Saints tight end Juwan Johnson praised Carr’s dedication, saying, “He cares about his team a lot and I’ll always go to war with somebody like that.” However, Carr’s injury has been a recurring issue this season, as he has already missed games earlier in the year due to other injuries.
With Carr out, the Saints will turn to either rookie Spencer Rattler or fourth-round pick Jake Haener to fill in at quarterback. Rattler struggled in his previous starts earlier this season, while Haener has shown some promise but has limited experience.
The Saints’ interim head coach, Darren Rizzi, acknowledged the challenge ahead, stating, “We’ll need to rally together and find ways to win without Derek. It’s a tough situation, but we have capable players who can step up.”
Carr’s injury is a significant blow to the Saints, who have managed to win several of their past games under Rizzi’s leadership. The team will need to rely on their depth and resilience to stay competitive in the NFC South race.
The Saints’ next game is against the Washington Commanders, followed by matchups against the Green Bay Packers, Las Vegas Raiders, and a season finale on the road against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Carr’s determination and commitment to the team have been evident throughout the season, but his injury highlights the physical toll that football can take on players. The Saints will need to regroup and find ways to overcome this setback as they continue their push for a playoff spot
