Carr out, Haener not starting in his place

NEW ORLEANS, La. (KSEE/KGPE) New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen confirmed Wednesday that ex-Bulldog quarterback Derek Carr is dealing with an oblique injury suffered on Monday night against the Chiefs.

Allen called Carr ‘week-to-week’ and said he will miss this Sunday’s home game against the Buccaneers with that oblique injury.

But it won’t be former Fresno State quarterback Jake Haener starting in Derek’s absence against the Bucs, even though Haener came in for Carr on Monday night, and finished that game against the Chiefs.

Allen said at his media availability Wednesday they are going to start fifth-round rookie Spencer Rattler instead.

Rattler and Haener battled for the backup job in training camp, but it appeared Haener had solidified himself as the No. 2 guy, when he finished out three games for Carr in the regular season, including Monday in Kansas City.

In those three games this season, Haener, a fourth-round draft pick of the Saints in 2023, completed two of eight passes for 17 yards, and had eight yards on five carries.

Rattler, who started his college career at Oklahoma before spending his last season as the starter at South Carolina, was impressive in training camp and in the preseason, where he completed 20 of 38 passes for 202 yards and a touchdown, and ran seven times for 26 yards and a touchdown.

“We talked a lot as a staff about what we thought was the best thing for us, and gave us the best chance to win the game,” said Allen. “That was the decision that we made, and we’re excited about him (Rattler) getting an opportunity to go in there. We’ll let him go play, and see what he can do.”

In the preseason, Haener completed 24 of 43 passes for 270 yards, with no touchdowns and no interceptions.

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