The Saints suddenly have a major QB question: Starter Derek Carr is now dealing with a shoulder injury that threatens his availability for this season, sources say.

Carr is weighing options, including the possibility of surgery.

Related Players: Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener, Ben DiNucci

If Carr is legitimately questionable for the 2025 season, the Saints' first and second round picks could go in far different directions than they are currently projected. As it stands before the NFL Draft, we would assume that Rattler is going to be the temporary name atop the depth chart as we wait to see how this plays out for Carr and his shoulder.

A new head coach doesn't appear to mean a new starting quarterback in New Orleans.

After several talks with Derek Carr about his 2025 compensation, the Saints are converting most of his salary this year into a signing bonus, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo reported Saturday.

Considering Carr is now set to make his full $40 million salary in 2025, Garafolo added that New Orleans' conversion indicates the team intends to move forward with him as QB1 for the upcoming season.

Related Players: Spencer Rattler

The offense was quite disappointing in 2024, but there's no denying they dealt with plenty of health issues, as well. Carr will bring some stability while New Orleans looks to build around Chris Olave, Alvin Kamara, and Rashid Shaheed once again.

Saints announced QB Spencer Rattler will start Monday Night vs the Packers.

Related Players: Jake Haener

We would rather see what Rattler can do out there anyways, but this is going to be a tough matchup against the Packers defense. He can safely be left on waiver wires.

Saints HC Darren Rizzi announced QB Jake Haener will start Sunday vs. the Commanders.

Related Players: Spencer Rattler

Haener has completed 48.3% of his 29 passes for one touchdown while adding 15 yards on the ground. He shouldn't be considered in any league size in Week 15.

On Monday, Darren Rizzi confirmed that Carr is now in the concussion protocol while saying the hand injury is not something that will lead the Saints to rule him out for multiple weeks at this time.

“Derek’s dealing with a non-throwing hand injury,” Rizzi said. “As it stands at this moment, I don’t believe it’s going to be an IR situation, I think it’s going to be a week-to-week situation. We’re gonna kinda take this day by day this week. We’ll see how this week plays out. He is in the concussion protocol also so he’s gotta complete the first step of that tomorrow.”

Related players: Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener

We just reported Carr would likely miss the rest of the season, but the Saints weren't putting him on IR with the hope he could return this season. It looks like the week to week tag means Carr will at least miss this week, with a window open to play in Week 16. The Saints are expected to make a decision at QB for Week 15 on Tuesday.

Saints QB Derek Carr did, in fact, suffer a significant fracture in his non-throwing hand, per me and Tom Pelissero.

Related players: Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener

He’s expected to miss several weeks, Rapoport went on to say. And based on where we are in the season, this is almost certainly season-ending based on that timeline. The Saints will turn to either Haener or Rattler. The Saints also didn't put Carr on IR, at least not yet, according to Pro Football Talk, so they seem to be leaving the door open to a return this season. The Saints are expected to decide between Haener and Rattler on Tuesday, according to reports.

Derek Carr was on a "little bit" of a pitch count for Wednesday's practice, but is still expected to start Sunday, Dennis Allen said.

Related Players: Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener

Good news for the Saints as they try to claw their way back into playoff talks. This would be great for Chris Olave, who has a very cushy matchup against the Panthers secondary this week.

Head coach Dennis Allen said in his Monday press conference that he’s optimistic about Derek Carr’s potential return this weekend.

“Derek Carr had a throwing session again today, looked good in the throwing session,” Allen said. “I would expect him to be back out at practice again on Wednesday. And then we’ll go from there and see what his availability is this week. But I’m optimistic about it.”

Related players: Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener

Carr has been out since suffering an oblique injury against the Chiefs in Week 5. Rattler started the last three games for New Orleans, though he was benched in the second half of Sunday’s loss to the Chargers for Haener. The Saints looked dominant over their first two games but have since dropped six-straight. In five games this year, Carr has completed 70.3 percent of his throws for 989 yards with eight touchdowns and four interceptions, the story said.

Dennis Allen said Derek Carr had a throwing session today, will have another tomorrow and they'll see where he's at. Allen said the plan is to stick with Spencer Rattler at QB if Carr doesn't play.

The post added that Allen said he feels like Rattler has played well when he has protection. Chris Olave is in protocol but the hope is he can clear before Week 8's game at the Chargers. It's not a great matchup for Rattler, or even Carr if he's ready, and it will be an even tougher go if Olave isn't able to play.

The Saints are starting rookie QB Spencer Rattler, as Derek Carr is out a few weeks with a tear in his oblique.

A hurdle for the Saints, but also a look at a promising young QB.

Related Players: Jake Haener

Carr can be safely dropped, despite his great early-season start, but we may look at him as a streaming option upon his return. Keep Rattle on waiver wires for now, but it will be interesting to see what he can do in the upcoming weeks.