For now, Derek Carr is out of the lineup, and the Saints have yet to place him on injured reserve. The veteran quarterback is nevertheless unlikely to play again this season.
Further evaluation of the injury to Carr’s non-throwing hand — which is fractured in two places — has made it clear a return is not imminent, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Only three games remain in the Saints’ season, so while surgery is still not required, it would be a surprise if he were to see any further game time in 2024. Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football notes the door is still open to Carr playing, but he is not in the picture for now.
Carr’s absence — provided it covers the season’s final three weeks — will end his second campaign in New Orleans. The former Raider provided capable play at points last year (during the second half of the season in particular), and expectations were high for improved efficiency with new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak in place. Like the Saints, Carr could not maintain a high level of play following a strong start to the season, though, and a postseason berth is unrealistic. The 33-year-old thus faces a strong possibility of not playing again until the start of the 2025 season.
Carr’s pact calls for a $30M base salary next year. $10M of that figure is guaranteed already, and the remainder will vest on March 17. As a result, a release before or after June 1 during the upcoming offseason would not yield cap savings, barring a notable restructuring to be worked out by then. With no guarantees in place after 2025, Carr’s contract could set up next season as his final one in New Orleans.
For now, the Saints have Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler in place as healthy quarterback options. The former started Sunday’s loss to the Commanders, but he was benched in favor of the latter. Rattler helped lead New Orleans to a rebound on offense during the second half of that game, and it would be no surprise if he got the nod for Week 16. The Saints close out the season with games against the Packers, Raiders and Buccaneers, and that stretch could allow Rattler to boost his stock in the organization while Carr continues to rehab.