Derek Carr injury update: Timeline revealed for Saints QB’s recovery

In the New Orleans Saints’ 26-13 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday, quarterback Derek Carr suffered an oblique injury. Per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, Carr could potentially miss the Saints’ game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday and their following game versus the Denver Broncos on Oct. 17.

Carr left the game with 9:32 left in the fourth quarter after throwing an incomplete pass to wide receiver Mason Tipton on fourth down. Carr claimed his decision to not return to the game was not due to pain but the fact the injury prevented him from making the plays he would normally make.

Jake Haener replaced Carr and played quarterback for the Saints for the remainder of the game. Haener only completed 2-of-his-7 pass attempts for 17 yards. He did not throw a touchdown or interception. In comparison, Carr finished the game with 165 passing yards and two scores while throwing one pick.

After the game, Carr provided further details on the injury.

“Not good, but we’ll get an MRI and all that kind of stuff tomorrow, and figure it out,” Carr told the media. “But for me not to be out there with my guys, no matter the situation, it’s — it takes something.

“I couldn’t do what I needed to do in the simplest form,” he continued. “And so I asked if there was anything we could do about it, and there was not enough time to be able to do that. I would have done anything to stay out there and keep fighting, but I just — I couldn’t.”

This occurrence isn’t the first time Derek Carr has dealt with injuries while with New Orleans. Carr sprained his AC joint in Week 3 against the Green Bay Packers last season before suffering two concussions later in the year.

Former South Carolina standout Spencer Rattler is reportedly emerging as the favorite to start in Carr’s place on Sunday, assuming the veteran QB is unavailable. Rattler hasn’t made an appearance in the NFL regular season yet but performed well in the preseason.

On Sunday, the Saints will square off against the Buccaneers at 1 p.m. ET. The game will air live on FOX.