By Ross Jackson
There could be another late-week quarterback decision on the way from the New Orleans Saints, but this time because the team’s starter could be back.
Interim head coach Darren Rizzi met with New Orleans media on Monday and updated the team’s quarterback situation going into their Week 16 Monday Night Football bout with the Green Bay Packers.
“With the situation with the way Derek (Carr) is right now,” he said. “That really is the reason we would take it day-to-day right now, week-to-week. We do get the extra day this week because of the Monday night game. So, we’ll wait and see what’s going on with Derek’s situation first and then kind of go from there.”
While last week’s decision was based on which young quarterback would earn the starting opportunity, it sounds like the team will take its time this week because there is a chance that Carr could potentially get back to the lineup.
After a dichotomous performance from both young passers on Sunday against the Washington Commanders, it could be easy to identify rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler as the favorite to start if Carr can’t go in Green Bay. However, the situation is about quite a bit more than Rattler and second-year signal caller Jake Haener.
“If we were practicing on Wednesday, like a full practice, I might make that decision a little bit earlier,” Rizzi said. “But because we have the extra day, I’m going to give it the day and kind of see where Derek’s at and then go from there.”
Later, Rizzi also acknowledged that, as of now, he believes there is a chance that Carr plays again this season despite the initial reports that his season would likely be over.
So, New Orleans expects its starting quarterback to get back out on the field and will hold the door open for his return.
Until then, the battle between Haener and Rattler will wage on at the facility.
As for Carr, who is managing a left hand injury and is currently in concussion protocol, his progression is under way, per Rizzi. While he is still in the protocol, it has more to do with the fact that Carr must practice in order to progress through the necessary steps. However, he did not get that opportunity last week because of the hand injury.
Should his hand be in better shape as the Saints return to practice in a few days, that would provide him the opportunity to complete the concussion protocol process.
It would just come down to what he can accomplish with the lingering non-throwing hand issue.
Make no mistake about it, once Carr is healthy, he’ll be back out on the field for the Saints.
