The New Orleans Saints received bad news on Tuesday with a discouraging injury update about Derek Carr, whoâs expected to miss several weeks in the 2024 NFL season. Head coach Dennis Allen, therefore, has a big decision to make at quarterback.
And it looks like Allen is preparing to make a bold move. According to NFL insiders Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, rookie QB Spencer Rattler is a strong candidate to be the Saintsâ QB1 during Carrâs absence.
This would be an interesting decision by New Orleans, considering Jake Haener has served as Carrâs backup so far. In fact, it was the second-year quarterback who took over during the loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on âMonday Night Football,â with Carr leaving the field after taking a hit late in the fourth quarter.
On Tuesday, Garafolo reported Carrâs oblique injury will force the Saintsâ starting quarterback to miss multiple games. With the team playing two games in the next nine days, chances are weâll see Rattler (and not Haener) under center in the next two weeks.
Dennis Allen, head coach of the New Orleans Saints
On Sunday, the Saints will play NFC South rivals Tampa Bay Buccaneers in an interesting divisional game. Four days later, Allenâs men will take on the Denver Broncos in a âThursday Night Footballâ showdown.
see also
NFL News: Saints HC Dennis Allen makes bold reaction to Andy Reid's strategy after loss to Chiefs
Rattlerâs impressive preseason with Saints may let him replace Carr
Selected with the 150th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Rattler made a great impression with the Saints in preseason. In three games, the 24-year-old went 20-of-38 for 202 yards and a touchdown, while also finding the end zone with an 8-yard rushing TD.
Haener joined the Saints only a year before Rattler, having been drafted with the 127th overall pick in 2023. The California native got off to a complicated start to life in the NFL though, having received a six-week suspension after testing positive for a banned substance.
The 25-year-old didnât get his first official snap until Monday, when he completed 2 of his 7 passes for 17 yards in the 26-13 loss to the Chiefs. Haener also gained 11 yards in two rushing attempts.
Saints to join list of NFL teams with starting rookie QBs in 2024
Allenâs reported belief in Rattler would mean five rookie quarterbacks get to start in the 2024 NFL season. Earlier on Tuesday, it was reported the New England Patriots will bench Jacoby Brissett for first-round pick Drake Maye.
Spencer Rattler #18 of the New Orleans Saints looks on against the Tennessee Titans at Mercedes Benz Superdome on August 25, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
It will be interesting to see if the Saintsâ rookie can keep the teamâs high-flying offense going and lead the team back to winning ways, as New Orleans is on a three-game losing streak after starting the year 2-0.
see also
NFL News: Saints HC Dennis Allen makes bold reaction to Andy Reid's strategy after loss to Chiefs
Replacing Carr looks like a huge challenge though, as the 33-year-old managed to record 989 yards with eight touchdowns and four interceptions, completing 90 of 128 passes this season.
