The New Orleans Saints are set to welcome back their starting quarterback Derek Carr in Week 9 as he returns from a three-game absence due to an oblique injury. Carr, who last played in a Week 5 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, says he is ready to bring energy and effort to a Saints offense that has struggled mightily in his absence, scoring only three touchdowns over the past three games.
“I am no savior,” Carr emphasized when asked about the pressure of returning to a slumping team riding a six-game losing streak, their longest such skid since 2005. “There’s only been one of those, and that is not me. I am here to be a great leader and to be a great teammate and to do my job to the best of my ability.”
Rattler to the Bench, Haener Assumes Backup Role
With Carr reclaiming his starting spot, Saints head coach Dennis Allen confirmed that Jake Haener will serve as Carr’s backup, even after rookie Spencer Rattler started the past three games. “We felt like Rattler gave us the best chance at the time,” Allen explained. “My expectation is that Derek’s going to be ready to go. In that case, Jake will be the backup.”
The Frustration of Sitting Out
For Carr, the past three weeks marked the longest stretch he’s missed due to injury since fracturing his fibula at the end of the 2016 season with the then-Oakland Raiders. “It sucks having to sit there and watch when it wasn’t the most painful thing I’ve ever dealt with,” Carr admitted. “It really wasn’t – it was just a lack of being able to do my job. And so that was the most frustrating part because I couldn’t just play through it. I just literally couldn’t do it.”
It’s been the most frustrating injury I’ve ever had, besides breaking my ankle and not being able to play in the playoffs that year… because there’s literally nothing that I could do but wait and just let it heal.
Derek Carr on the frustration of his oblique injury
Words of Wisdom from Drew Brees
In search of guidance, Carr reached out to former Saints great Drew Brees, who suffered a similar injury during the 2014 preseason. While Brees didn’t miss any regular-season action, he later admitted his mechanics were affected upon his hasty return. Brees counseled Carr on maintaining proper mechanics and not rushing back prematurely.
“We feel confident,” Carr said regarding his recovery and readiness. “I feel confident. I’ve shown it – that I can do those things. And now it’s about just how I stack days and how it feels after that.”
A Vow of Leadership and Dedication
Rather than succumbing to the pressure of being viewed as a savior for the scuffling Saints, the 31-year-old Carr is focused on leading by example and bringing out the best in his teammates. “I’m gonna come in and do what my guys expect me to do,” he pledged. “Bring energy, bring effort, be a great teammate. Encourage our guys, get everybody on the same page, lock in the details, hold each other accountable.”
Carr also vowed a “full commitment” to his team over the final ten weeks of the regular season: “When I get back, I’m gonna be a psychopath. I’m gonna be crazy about the details and everything because we only get one shot at this. I don’t have any promises. I don’t have anything except I’ll promise great effort. I’ll promise long nights and early mornings to make sure that we’re at our best.”
Potential Absences Loom Large for Saints
While Carr’s return provides a much-needed spark, the Saints may have to forge ahead without several other key contributors. Star cornerback Marshon Lattimore did not practice Wednesday after reaggravating a hamstring injury against the Chargers last week. Safety Tyrann Mathieu (illness), running back Kendre Miller (hamstring), and wide receiver Bub Means (ankle) were also notable absences.
The Road Ahead
At 2-6 and losers of six straight, the Saints find themselves in unfamiliar territory, buried in the NFC South cellar. With Carr back under center and promising a revitalized approach and unrelenting effort, New Orleans will look to claw its way back into contention, starting with a crucial home date against the division-rival Carolina Panthers on Sunday. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step – or in this case, a single throw from a determined Derek Carr.
For Carr, the past three weeks marked the longest stretch he’s missed due to injury since fracturing his fibula at the end of the 2016 season with the then-Oakland Raiders. “It sucks having to sit there and watch when it wasn’t the most painful thing I’ve ever dealt with,” Carr admitted. “It really wasn’t – it was just a lack of being able to do my job. And so that was the most frustrating part because I couldn’t just play through it. I just literally couldn’t do it.”
It’s been the most frustrating injury I’ve ever had, besides breaking my ankle and not being able to play in the playoffs that year… because there’s literally nothing that I could do but wait and just let it heal.
Derek Carr on the frustration of his oblique injury
Words of Wisdom from Drew Brees
In search of guidance, Carr reached out to former Saints great Drew Brees, who suffered a similar injury during the 2014 preseason. While Brees didn’t miss any regular-season action, he later admitted his mechanics were affected upon his hasty return. Brees counseled Carr on maintaining proper mechanics and not rushing back prematurely.
“We feel confident,” Carr said regarding his recovery and readiness. “I feel confident. I’ve shown it – that I can do those things. And now it’s about just how I stack days and how it feels after that.”
A Vow of Leadership and Dedication
Rather than succumbing to the pressure of being viewed as a savior for the scuffling Saints, the 31-year-old Carr is focused on leading by example and bringing out the best in his teammates. “I’m gonna come in and do what my guys expect me to do,” he pledged. “Bring energy, bring effort, be a great teammate. Encourage our guys, get everybody on the same page, lock in the details, hold each other accountable.”
Carr also vowed a “full commitment” to his team over the final ten weeks of the regular season: “When I get back, I’m gonna be a psychopath. I’m gonna be crazy about the details and everything because we only get one shot at this. I don’t have any promises. I don’t have anything except I’ll promise great effort. I’ll promise long nights and early mornings to make sure that we’re at our best.”
Potential Absences Loom Large for Saints
While Carr’s return provides a much-needed spark, the Saints may have to forge ahead without several other key contributors. Star cornerback Marshon Lattimore did not practice Wednesday after reaggravating a hamstring injury against the Chargers last week. Safety Tyrann Mathieu (illness), running back Kendre Miller (hamstring), and wide receiver Bub Means (ankle) were also notable absences.
The Road Ahead
At 2-6 and losers of six straight, the Saints find themselves in unfamiliar territory, buried in the NFC South cellar. With Carr back under center and promising a revitalized approach and unrelenting effort, New Orleans will look to claw its way back into contention, starting with a crucial home date against the division-rival Carolina Panthers on Sunday. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step – or in this case, a single throw from a determined Derek Carr.
