After missing three games due to an oblique injury, Derek Carr is ready for his return.
The New Orleans Saints expect Carr to start in their game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, head coach Dennis Allen said Wednesday. Jake Haener will serve as his backup, despite rookie Spencer Rattler starting the last few games in Carr’s absence.
“We felt like Rattler gave us the best opportunity at that time, and so I think this weekend we’ll see where we are, what the expectations are. My expectation is that Derek will be ready to go,” Allen said . said, . “In that case, Jake will be the backup… I don’t want to go into the details of why, but I think it’s what’s best for our team.”
earlier this month after taking a big hit at the end of that match. He hasn’t played since, which is the longest time he’s missed since breaking his ankle while with the Raiders in 2017.
The Saints, who started the season 2-0 with a pair of big wins, haven’t won a game since. Rattler led the Saints to a 51-27 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in his first start, and the Saints will enter Sunday’s game in North Carolina on a six-game losing streak. It is the longest losing streak the team has had since 2005.
Carr has thrown for 989 yards with eight touchdowns and four interceptions while completing just over 70% of his passes in five games this season, his second with the Saints.
“I’m not a savior. There’s only been one and it’s not me,” Carr said. “I’m here to be a great leader, a great teammate and to do my job to the best of my ability. And do I have confidence in what I can do? Absolutely. I have confidence in what I can do. I have confidence in what I can do.” I am confident in what I can bring to our team. And that’s exciting, right? But to save us or anything like that, that’s not me, I’m going to come in and do what my boys expect of me. putting in the effort, being a great teammate, encouraging our guys, getting everyone on the same page, nailing the details, holding each other accountable.
The Panthers, on the other hand, have a record of 1-7 entering Sunday’s game. The Saints also defeated the Panthers 47-10 in Week 1. Carolina said Wednesday that as a veteran, he was in a car accident last week.
