The New Orleans Saints are still unwilling to rule out Derek Carr for Week 15, but he was absent for the first day of Saints practice this week as they prepare to face the Commanders.
Interim head coach Darren Rizzi said Carr (left hand/concussion) hasn't had any setbacks in the concussion protocol and they'll simply have to monitor how he moves forward with his two injuries.
"He’s still dealing with some swelling so we'll see if that goes down," Rizzi said. "We’ll see if he clears the concussion protocol and he’s able to do anything at the end of the week."
In the meantime the Saints will be taking a long look at young QBs in Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler in terms of a potential start this week, with both getting reps in practice and Rizzi assessing it as a competitive situation. When asked whether he was simply playing coy to avoid tipping off the Commanders as to who to prepare for or if the team had actually not made a decision, his response was simply "yes."
When asked to expand Rizzi said: "Yes, yes, yes and yes."
We'll have to wait and see how that situation develops throughout the week.
Here's how the Saints' injury report broke down on Wednesday.
LP = limited participation; FP = full participation; DNP = did not participate
- QB Derek Carr (left hand/concussion): DNP
- LB D'Marco Jackson (ankle): DNP
- RB Alvin Kamara (illness): DNP
- TE Juwan Johnson (foot): LP
- WR Bub Means (ankle): LP
- DE Tanoh Kpassagnon (achilles): FP
The only surprise absence was star running back Alvin Kamara, but he is expected to be back in action this week as he works through an undisclosed illness. LB D'Marco Jackson (ankle) was also absent due to an ankle injury suffered during the win over the Giants. Jackson left the field at one point in the first half and had his ankle taped up. He attempted to return to the game but limped off again and went back to the locker room.
The Saints will have a pair of decisions to make this week regarding WR Bub Means and DE Tanoh Kpassagnon, both of whom are in their return to practice window from IR. If the Saints don't activate Kpassagnon this week he would be done for the season.
The Commanders' half of the injury report is much longer, though it's mostly due to rest and players who participated fully with their injuries. The most notable name is that of former Saints CB Marshon Lattimore, who practiced in full and is expected to make his debut for the Commanders in the Superdome against the Saints. Lattimore is yet to take the field since the Saints traded him to Washington ahead of Week 10.
Here's how Washington's injury report broke down on Wednesday.
- WR Noah Brown (kidney): DNP
- TE Zach Ertz (hamstring/rest): DNP
- DE Clelin Ferrell (knee/rest): DNP
- K Zane Gonzalez (left foot): LP
- S Quan Martin (shoulder): LP
- WR Jamison Crowder (calf): FP
- OLD Dante Fowler Jr. (groin): FP
- CB Noah Igbinoghene (thumb): FP
- CB Marshon Lattimore (hamstring): FP
- LB Jordan Magee (elbow): FP
- OT Andrew Wylie (concussion): FP
The Saints (5-8) host the Commanders (8-5) for a noon start at the Caesars Superdome in Week 15. Catch all the action on WWL and Audacy.
