Saints' chances to get back into playoff hunt take major hit with latest news
The New Orleans Saints improved to 5-8 in Week 14 with a narrow win over the New York Giants. With the victory, they also suffered a horrific loss. Quarterback Derek Carr was injured on a jump/dive in an attempt to pick up a first down on the ground. A couple of NFL insiders updated the […]
The New Orleans Saints improved to 5-8 in Week 14 with a narrow win over the New York Giants. With the victory, they also suffered a horrific loss. Quarterback Derek Carr was injured on a jump/dive in an attempt to pick up a first down on the ground.
A couple of NFL insiders updated the QB's status on Monday. It was not good news for the Saints' potential playoff push in the NFC.
Carr suffers major injury
According to Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, Carr suffered a significant fracture in his non-throwing hand. He is expected to miss several weeks, so his season could realistically be over.
Carr is also in concussion protocol.
"Derek (Carr) is dealing with a non-throwing hand injury … 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 … He is in the concussion protocol also."
— Darren Rizzi
New Orleans sits at third in the NFC South, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lead the division at just 7-6. The Falcons are trending downwards and sit at 6-7 after thirteen games.
Accordingly, the Saints do have a route to getting back into contention as the NFC South's possible winner.
In the Wild Card race, they are squaring off against some tougher competition in the NFC West and NFC North. It is very unlikely that New Orleans locks in a playoff spot, without winning the division.
Without Carr, the offense takes a noteworthy hit. When Carr missed time earlier this season, the offense was one of the worst in the entire NFL. Neither Jake Haener or Spencer Rattler will elevate the offense this season, and New Orleans must come to terms with that.
Even after winning three out of four games to start the Darren Rizzi era with him as their interim head coach, the playoffs look incredibly unlikely for the black and gold.
Instead, New Orleans will probably lock in a top 12 draft pick in the 2025 NFL Draft over the final handful of weeks. The Saints will face an impressive Washington Commanders team in Week 15.
