By Ross Jackson
NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Saints’ season will end the same way it began: injury-riddled.
On Thursday, interim head coach Darren Rizzi delivered several updates on key players that are dealing with injury.
Starting quarterback Derek Carr has had many conflicting reports circulating about the outlook of his remaining season. There have been several assumptions that he may have suffered a season-ending injury, however the Saints are keeping the door open for his return.
“Here’s the situation with Derek,” Rizzi said. “Derek Carr wants to play this season. He wants to come back and play this season. There’s absolutely zero doubt about that.”
Rizzi highlighted that Carr is doing everything that he can to get back out on the field. The left hand injury has been the more substantial situation than the fact that he is in concussion protocol. Essentially, the team wants to be sure that Carr can do things to keep himself safe such as brace when hitting the ground and other mobility needs. Until then, rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler is expected to be the starter.
Running back Alvin Kamara suffered a groin injury that turned out to be more significant than initially expected against the Washington Commanders. Rizzi explained that it was a minor ailment that the star player was dealing with throughout the game that worsened when he stretched out to make a spectacular one-hand touchdown grab in the third quarter.
“It doesn’t look great for this week,” Rizzi said of the back’s injury.
After receiving further imaging and undergoing additional testing, the injury was found to be one that will jeopardize his availability Monday night against the Green Bay Packers. Beyond that, the team will take things week-to-week, much like Carr.
In some much needed good news, wide receiver Chris Olave was back at practice on Thursday. The wideout has been out of practice for six weeks following a scary turn of events against the Carolina Panthers Week 9.
While his 21-day practice window to return from Injured Reserve has been opened, there’s presently no guarantee that the 2022 first-rounder will make it back on to the field this season. But considering the nature of his concussion history this season and prior, just being back at practice is a positive story in and of itself.
Olave did not fully participate in practice during the portion that was open to the media. But he did catch passes from training staff members. Great news for 2025 at the very least.
“I am super, super happy for Chris,” Rizzi said. “He returned to practice today. He was limited today. We’re going to kind of… obviously he had significant time off. So, we’re going to kind of take it step by step with him.”
