Derek Carr, as expected, is set to resume his starting duties for the New Orleans Saints.
After missing the past three games due to an oblique injury, Carr is off the final injury report and will start for New Orleans against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.
On Wednesday, Carr made his return to practice and has taken part in each session throughout the week.
The veteran quarterback was clear that he doesn’t view himself as a “savior,” but he will no doubt be a welcomed sight under center for New Orleans, which is looking to snap a six-game losing streak.
Head coach Dennis Allen on Wednesday indicated he expected Carr to return to action on Sunday and he will for the first time since sustaining an oblique injury during a Week 5 defeat against the Kansas City Chiefs.
That loss to the Chiefs was the Saints’ third in a row following a 2-0 start. New Orleans’ losing streak has doubled since then, and Carr and Co. are hoping his return coupled with facing a one-win Panther squad will get them back on the winning side of things.
Carr is 5-0 in his career with the Panthers, which includes a Week 1 47-10 win this season. That preceded a 44-19 throttling of the Dallas Cowboys. Since then, even with a healthy Carr, the Saints have struggled mightily.
The last four Saints losses have been by double digits.
So, Carr will look for a repeat performance from the season opener, in which he threw for three touchdowns. For the season, Carr has completed 90 of 128 passes (70.3%) for 989 yards, eight touchdowns and four interceptions.
The Saints (2-6) and Panthers (1-7) kick off at 1 p.m. Sunday.