The New Orleans Saints appear to have avoided the worst with Derek Carr’s shoulder, but his health remains a major question mark going forward.
The quarterback went down after a hard hit in the third quarter and suffered what has been reported as an AC sprain. A return timetable is unclear, but the injury is not expected to be season-ending.
That’s one of the few positives from an 18-17 loss in a game that the Saints led 17-0 at the time of Carr’s injury. Jameis Winston took over for the rest of the game, but the offense failed to threaten for points until a final drive where kicker Blake Grupe missed a 48-yard go-ahead field goal.
Carr stayed down on the field for several minutes before walking off under his own power and heading into the injury tent. He ultimately went back to the locker room and was taken to a local hospital for additional tests. He was back with the team as they traveled to home.
It’s expected it will be Winston’s offense until Carr can get back on the field, which will include a chance to face the Bucs in Week 4. It was a game against Tampa Bay in 2021 in which Winston’s season ended with a knee injury, which gives him some shared experience with his current teammate on the road to recovery.
“I know he’s a warrior and I know he’ll be fine,” Winston said.
The Saints fall to 2-1, but still in very good position within the division. The Panthers and Falcons both lost in Week 3 and the Bucs have a difficult matchup with an NFC power in the Eagles.
New Orleans will have serious questions to answer along the offensive line, regardless of the quarterback, with Cesar Ruiz also leaving Week 3 with a concussion. Andrus Peat took over at left guard while James Hurst shifted to right guard. The Saints will also have to determine their plan at backup, with rookie Jake Haener suspended through Week 6. Should they go with Taysom Hill in that role, it’d potentially mean losing him in his do-it-all role. New Orleans doesn’t currently have a quarterback on the practice squad, but that could change this week.
Two options they could look at? Jake Luton, who is currently on the Panthers practice squad, and Ian Book, who is currently a free agent.
