New Orleans Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi might not have to wait long to name his Week 16 starting QB after all.
Derek Carr, who fractured his left hand in two places in Week 15, underwent further examination recently and he's at least a few weeks away from being able to withstand contact, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per sources informed of the situation.
Rapoport added that Carr's return this season is described as "very unlikely" with three weeks remaining.
Rizzi said on Monday that he was waiting to announce his starter for next Monday's game against the Packers on the chance Carr could be cleared in time after missing just one week.
It seems his choices are down to Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener. Based on Sunday's performances in the narrow loss to Washington, it's not much of a choice. Haener got the start and couldn't move the ball, with the offense generating 38 net yards at halftime. Rattler entered at halftime and immediately jumpstarted the offense.
The Saints scored on all four second-half possessions, including a final-second touchdown. A miss on the potential game-winning two-point try was the only thing that stopped New Orleans from stealing a victory.
At 5-9, the Saints have less than a 1% chance to make the postseason, per Next Gen Stats (3 in 10,000 simulations).
Given their situation, it makes sense to give Rattler some rope and see if he could be an option in 2025. The rookie had an up-and-down first three starts early in the season before being benched in his final start ahead of Carr's return. Giving Rattler the final few starts could display whether he's learned and developed since that string.
