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Katherine Terrell, ESPN staff essayist
METAIRIE, Los Angeles. – Pristine Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr is expected to play games Sunday against the Carolina Panthers next game out of the third month with an indirect upset. Saints coach Dennis Allen stated that Jake Haener could be Carr’s backup, although the team started rookie Spencer Rattler in Carr’s absence.
“We felt like Rattler gave us the best opportunity at the time, so I think we’ll see where we are this weekend, what the expectations are. My expectation is that Derek will be ready to go,” Allen said Wednesday. “In that case, Jake will be the substitute… I don’t want to go into the details of the reasons, but I feel like that’s what’s best for our team.”
Carr has not performed since escaping the end of a Month 5 loss to the Kansas Town Chiefs with an indirect pressure from the left. It’s the longest amount of age he’s missed with an upset since breaking his ankle late in the 2017 season while with the Raiders.
Carr said it was a “slow process” to return, but he credited the Saints’ athletic training team, who he said got him back on the field on the latter side of the expected timeline for his return.
“It sucks to have to sit there and watch when it wasn’t the most painful thing I’ve ever had to deal with. It really wasn’t… it was just the lack of being able to do my job,” Carr said. “And that was the part. most frustrating, because I couldn’t just keep playing, you know? I literally couldn’t do it… It was the most frustrating injury I’ve ever had, besides breaking my arm.” ankle and not being able to play in the playoffs that year…because there’s literally nothing I can do except wait and let it heal.”
Carr also texted former Saints quarterback Drew Brees for advice after getting injured. Brees had a similar surprise in the 2014 preseason and didn’t miss a game because of that surprise, but he admitted then that his mechanics suffered upon returning in just a few weeks.
Carr said Brees advised him not to let his mechanics get away from him. Carr said he feels confident he won’t come back too soon or risk a setback.
“This was kind of like… if I’m going to throw a ball 60 yards and it throws, what’s the point?… It’s football and I never want to just put that stuff out there. But anything can happen, but we We feel confident,” Carr said. “I feel confident, I’ve proven that, that I can do those things. And now it’s about how I stack up the days and how I feel after that.”
The Saints’ offense has scored just three touchdowns in the month of three games and the team has lost six snap games, its longest losing streak since 2005. Carr said he’s “not a savior” when asked if there was any additional strength. Return to a team that has been suffering to solve problems.
“I’m no savior. There’s only been one of those and that’s not me,” Carr said, laughing. “I’m here to be a great leader and a great teammate and do my job to the best of my ability. And do I feel confident in what I can do? Absolutely. I feel confident in what I can do. I feel confident in what I can do.” that I can bring to our team. And that’s exciting, right? But to save us or something, that’s not me, I’m going to go in and do what my guys expect me to do, be a great teammate, cheer. our guys, getting everyone on the same page, nailing down the details and holding each other accountable.
Carr said he is committed to making a “full commitment” from himself to his teammates within the remaining 10 weeks of the regular season.
“When I come back, I’m going to be a psychopath. I’m going to be crazy about the details and everything because we only have one chance to do this, you know?” stated Carr. “I have no promises. I have nothing except that I will promise a great effort. I will promise long nights and early mornings to make sure we are at our best. I am looking forward to returning and excited to finally be back on the field of practice”.
The Saints were without cornerback Marshon Lattimore on Wednesday due to a hamstring issue that was reinjured against the Chargers. Defense Tyrann Mathieu did not apply with a weak generation, running back Kendre Miller (hamstring) and big receiver Bub Approach (sprained ankle) also neglected application.
