Derek Carr injury update: Saints QB could soon return to practice, has chance to play in Week 8, per report

The New Orleans Saints are without Derek Carr for a second straight game Thursday night. They may not have to wait too much longer for their starting quarterback to return to the field, however, with NFL Media reporting there's a chance the signal-caller will resume practice in time to suit up for Week 8.

Carr initially suffered an oblique injury late in the Saints' Week 5 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs -- a game he did not finish. Some estimated he could be sidelined for close to a month, forcing rookie fill-in Spencer Rattler , a 2024 fifth-round draft pick, to make an extended appearance as the starter.

Technically listed as doubtful before being ruled inactive for Thursday's game against the Denver Broncos , Carr would face additional hurdles to a game-day return even if he practices next week, per Ian Rapoport: "A lot ... has to happen for him to be out there," including testing the injury in live drills.

Fortunately, he'd have extra time to prepare for a potential Week 8 return, as the Saints will have 10 days between Thursday night's contest with Denver and Oct. 27's matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers .

Carr went 2-3, with eight touchdowns to four interceptions, before going down this season.