Carr to Miss Time Due to Oblique/Hip Injury

The New Orleans Saints started the season on a high note, dominating with two blowout wins against the Panthers and Cowboys. However, the team has since hit a rough patch, losing three straight games. The biggest shift has been on offense. After putting up 40+ points in each of the first two games, the Saints have only managed 49 total points over the past three weeks. Now, things are set to get even more challenging for the offense, as starting quarterback Derek Carr will miss the next few weeks due to an oblique injury sustained in last week’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Carr has had a solid, albeit inconsistent, season so far, throwing for eight touchdowns and four interceptions. However, after a strong start, he has struggled with turnovers, throwing an interception in each of the past four games. With Carr sidelined, the starting quarterback duties will fall to fifth-round draft pick Spencer Rattler.

Rattler is a talented young player with potential to grow into a solid starter. Once viewed as a surefire first-round pick, his college career took a hit when he was replaced by Caleb Williams at Oklahoma, and he never fully regained his draft stock. Still, his talent was evident during his time at South Carolina, which led the Saints to select him in the draft and earn the backup job. This week will mark Rattler’s first NFL start, and it remains to be seen how the rookie will perform in Carr’s absence.

One thing is certain: New Orleans is likely to lean heavily on veteran running back Alvin Kamara. Expect the Saints to focus on the run game, aiming to create manageable down-and-distance situations for the young quarterback. The Saints are set to host division rival Tampa Bay in what promises to be a heated matchup. While Rattler will have his hands full, it’s clear that head coach Dennis Allen has confidence in his rookie to keep the team competitive while Carr recovers.