Jeff Duncan The Advocate, Baton Rouge, Louisiana (TNS)
Wednesday December 25, 2024 | 6:45 p.m.
Some good news emerged Tuesday for the New Orleans Saints following their lopsided loss to the Green Bay Packers.
Derek Carr could return to action for the Saints in their game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday at the Superdome, head coach Darren Rizzi said.
“I hope so,” Rizzi said when asked if Carr might be available to play during a conference call with local reporters.
The Saints plan to put Carr through playing conditions this week in practice to see if he can protect himself and the ball and function physically with his injured left hand, which he fractured a year ago. two weeks ago in the Saints’ 14-11 victory over the New York Giants.
“If we can do that,” Rizzi said, “then we’ll (throw it). We’re not just going to throw it out there just to throw it there, though.”
The injury sidelined Carr for the Saints’ final two games, losses to the Washington Commanders and Green Bay Packers. In his place, second-year quarterback Jake Haener and rookie Spencer Rattler took turns as starters.
In the Saints’ 20–19 loss to the Commanders, Haener completed 4 of 10 passes for 49 yards in the first half before being benched in favor of Rattler in the second half. He was sacked three times and intercepted once, while recording a passer rating of 16.2.
Rattler didn’t fare much better against the Packers on Monday night. He completed 15 of 30 passes for 153 yards and a passer rating of 51.1. He was sacked three times, lost a fumble and threw an interception.
“There were definitely ups and downs,” Rizzi said of Rattler’s fourth career start. “…We need to get rid of those negative plays. For any quarterback, it doesn’t matter whether you’re starting your fourth game or your 400th game.”
McCoy, Patrick updates
The news wasn’t as positive for starting offensive linemen Erik McCoy and Lucas Patrick.
McCoy avoided a major injury to his right elbow, which forced him to leave the game in the first quarter. His status for the game against the Raiders is uncertain, Rizzi said.
Patrick, however, is expected to miss the final two games of the season with what Rizzi called a “serious” knee injury. Patrick is expected to undergo further medical examinations to determine whether he needs surgery, Rizzi said.
Shane Lemieux replaced McCoy at center and played the final 49 snaps of the game. Landon Young played the final three snaps at left guard for Patrick.
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