Jake

Haener

Carr had completed 20-of-31 passes for 219 yards, a touchdown, and an interception before he foolishly vaulted into his own teammate, Kevin Austin, on a fourth quarter scramble. He landed as hard as possible, injuring his hand and necessitating a concussion evaluation. Carr wasn’t doing much of anything before the pointless stunt, though his supporting cast is as admittedly as undermanned as possible at the moment. It certainly seems like we are going to see Jake Haener in Week 15 against the Commanders, but nothing is ever that simple for Carr. Either way, the situation has lost all fantasy relevance. Stay tuned.

Per head coach Dennis Allen, Carr was on a pitch count at practice but did well and remains on track to play in Week 9 against the Panthers. He told reports earlier in the week that he was optimistic Carr will be able to return on Sunday. Allen also noted that Jake Haener will back him up. If all goes well, Carr will return to a high-end QB2 ranking versus a dreadful Carolina defense. Chris Olave will also vault to the top of the WR2 rankings after topping 100 yards for the first time this year in Week 8.

Haener took over for Spencer Rattler, who was benched after two and a half quarters of erratic play. Haener was more accurate and more willing to push the ball downfield; he would certainly be better for the Saints offense than Rattler if Derek Carr (oblique) misses another week.

Jake Haener took over for Rattler in the third quarter after another disastrous outing for the rookie. Rattler, who had an adjusted yards per attempt of just 4.6 entering Week 8, completed 12 of 24 pass attempts for 156 scoreless yards. He did not throw an interception but missed several open pass catchers in the first half. Haener could get the nod in Week 9 if Derek Carr isn’t ready to return from his oblique injury.

Per Allen, Carr’s return is a question of functionality, not pain tolerance. Carr has missed two games while working his way back from the oblique injury he suffered in Week 5. He is still a long-shot to return for the Saints’ Week 8 game against the Chargers but is making some progress. Spencer Rattler was pulled near the end of the Saints’ blowout loss to the Broncos on Thursday. Allen may ultimately opt for Jake Haener over him versus the Chargers.

Derek Carr is expected to miss multiple weeks with a tear in his oblique. Jake Haener was also in the running to take over at quarterback, but the Saints can use Carr’s absence to see what they have in the rookie. Rattler was one of the biggest fallers of the 2024 NFL Draft, tumbling into the fifth round after many analysts believed he could go on the second day. He should be added in all Superflex leagues, though redraft managers don’t need to consider him in his first career start.

Carr was hurt in the fourth quarter of Monday night’s loss to the Chiefs. Jake Haener, who went 2-of-7 for 17 yards in replacing him, would seem to be a reasonable candidate to take over for the Saints in the short-term. It’s also possible the Saints give Spencer Rattler, who they selected in this past year’s draft, a chance at the job. This is a major downgrade for all Saints skill position players heading into Week 6’s game against the Buccaneers.

Carr left in the fourth quarter of Monday night’s game against the Chiefs with the oblique injury and did not return. He told reporters after the game that he sustained the injury not on a hit from a KC defender, but on his throw downfield on fourth down. Carr said he would make every effort to get right before the Saints’ Week 6 game against the Bucs. “You know me, I’m going to do anything I can to be there,” he said. Jake Haener, a rookie who had 17 yards on 2-of-7 passing Monday night against the Chiefs, would get the start if Carr is sidelined next week.

The Saints’ preseason battle for the No. 2 QB role entered its final phase on Sunday with Haener getting the start over fifth-round rookie Spencer Rattler. Haener likely lost the battle, failing to make a difference in the box score while tallying one turnover-worthy.

Haener played the overwhelming majority of the first half after Derek Carr took the field for the first two series. He didn’t throw for a score nor did he lead a touchdown drive, but he was able to help the Saints to a pair of scoring drives in field goals. The 2023 fourth-round pick clearly outplayed Spencer Rattler in his battle to secure the backup job to Carr to begin the 2024 campaign. He’ll still need to keep his foot on the gas next Sunday against the 49ers.