For the second time in three games the Saints are facing availability questions at quarterback, and for a similar reason.
Derek Carr suffered a concussion in the Week 13 loss to the Lions, Dennis Allen confirmed on Monday, and he's entered the concussion protocol for the second time this season. He's also being treated for a rib injury, which was initially classified as a back injury, though the severity is unknown. The QB did avoid any major issue with his throwing shoulder after a big hit from Lions DE Bruce Irvin that was flagged for a personal foul in the game.
"We’ll evaluate him as we go throughout the week to see what his availability will be,” Allen said.
The head injury is concerning, considering it's Carr's second diagnosed concussion in the span of a month. The veteran QB also left early in a Week 10 loss to the Vikings after taking a big hit, but was cleared for the next game after a bye in Week 11. Allen said he doesn't believe the concussion protocol gets more significant after a second such injury, but that doctors might be more cautious.
“I think that’s really kind of in the hands of the medical people in terms of where we’re at with that, and so I think [team doctor] John Amoss does a really good job, he’s pretty conservative in those things," Allen continued. "So we’ll go through the protocol and listen to what the doctors tell us and see where we’re at.”
The injury was particularly frustrating considering that it came as the Saints had effectively clawed themselves back into the game after going down 21-0 in the game's opening minutes. After going 1-for-5 with an interception that tipped off Juwan Johnson's hands on the opening play of the game, Carr had completed 16-17 passes for 220 yards and touchdown the rest of the way, and completed his final 13 passes prior to leaving the game. He was also credited with a fumble on a bizarre play that featured left guard James Hurst accidentally punching the ball out of Carr's hands as the QB turned away from the line to execute a toss.
It was the third time this season that Carr left a game early due to injury, with the other coming during a Week 3 loss the Packers. In all three games it was Jameis Winston taking over. In the past two games he's led three scoring drives to give the Saints a chance, but potential game-tying or go-ahead drives faltered just beyond midfield. That was the case in a 33-28 loss to the Lions when the Saints turned the ball over on downs at the Lions 40 with just over 3 minutes remaining. The Lions successfully converted two first downs and the Saints offense never got the ball back.
Related
It's too early to make an evaluation on Carr's status yet, Allen said Monday, but if he is unable to go it would be Winston getting the start. Other options would've been Taysom Hill, who has a 6-1 record as a starter in his career, or rookie Jake Haener who has yet to be active for a game this season, but would likely take over the backup role.
"Jameis, he does some good things. He’s been a starter in our league," Allen said. "There’s a reason he’s here as our backup and if Derek is not able to go, the plan right now would be Jameis would be in there and we’d put a plan together that gives him an opportunity to have success.”
The Saints (5-7) have lost three straight games and will be looking to get right in a divisional matchup with the Panthers (1-11), who have already fired first-year coach Frank Reich and are now led by interim Chris Tabor.