New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr is officially considered day-to-day after injuring his left hand late in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 14-11 win over the New York Giants.
Carr will reportedly miss “several weeks” with a fractured hand, and with just four weeks remaining in the regular season, his season could be over unless the Saints advance to the postseason. New Orleans is 5-8 in the NFC South race, two games behind Tampa Bay and one game behind Atlanta.
Saints interim coach Darren Rizzi told reporters Carr will not be placed on IR. “We’ll take this week day by day and see how this week goes, but that’s where we are right now,” he said.
He also confirmed that the 33-year-old quarterback is in the concussion protocol.
On Sunday, Carr was injured when he went airborne and crashed to the turf while attempting a first down. He attempted to jump over a Giants tackler and landed at New Orleans’ 39-yard line, breaking the fall with his non-throwing hand extended. He stayed on the lawn for a few minutes before walking over to the medical tent.
“It was a phenomenal effort to get a first down,” Rizzi said of the game that left the Saints up 14-11 with less than four minutes remaining.
Carr finished 20 of 31 for 219 yards, including an 11-yard touchdown pass to Juwan Johnson in the third quarter. He also led a 98-yard drive in the first quarter that ended with a 6-yard run by Kendre Miller. New Orleans won for the third time in four games under Leach, who took over last month after Dennis Allen was fired.
Jake Haener replaced Carr and the Saints held on for the win when defensive tackle Bryan Bresee thumbed Graham Gano’s game-tying 35-yard field goal attempt.
Daryl Johnston and Kevin Kugler react to the Saints’ 14-11 win over the Giants | NFL on FOX
Carr missed three games earlier this season due to an oblique injury. Rookie Spencer Rattler started in his place and threw for 571 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. The Saints went 0-3 in that game and Rattler was benched for Haener midway through his third start.
Carr’s injury is just the latest blow to a New Orleans offense that has lost several key playmakers to season-ending injuries, including Chris Olave (concussion), Rashid Shaheed (meniscus) and Taysom Hill (ACL).
The Associated Press contributed to this report..
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