Should the New Orleans Saints have injury concerns about quarterback Derek Carr? Carr has been on the injury report more often than not going back to his first MCL strain as a member of the Raiders in 2014 (though he was ready following the bye week).
Saints coach Dennis Allen may be on the hot seat if the team fails to make the playoffs this season. Carr is clearly a tough quarterback, but in a conference featuring the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, and Green Bay Packers, the Saints will need more or will have to reconsider the starting quarterback job.
Can Carr help the New Orleans Saints odds this season?
Overview of Derek Carr’s Career
Long before he was New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr, the Fresno State product was a second-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft to the (then) Oakland Raiders. Car would be the starter in his rookie season, finishing with 3,270 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.
In his third season as an NFL starter, Carr would play his best football. Raiders fans were treated to a 12-3 starting record that season from Carr, but he would have perhaps his most significant injury in the NFL. He suffered a fibula fracture in Week 16, missing the next game and the Raiders’ playoff game.
During his career as a starter, Carr has been a solid starter. Carr left the Raiders when he signed with the New Orleans Saints prior to the 2023 season, reuniting with head coach Dennis Allen. His first season as New Orleans Saints quarterback was up-and-down, once again dealing with injuries on a regular basis.
Carr at the 2016 Pro Bowl
Derek Carr Injury History
Carr has only missed three games in his career but has had his share of injury issues. Even playing in a division with a team like the Carolina Panthers, there is no walk in the park in the NFL.
His first major injury came when he fractured a finger on his throwing hand in 2016, though he didn’t miss any time. He then fractured his fibula in Week 16, missing the rest of the season. Carr battled things like bruises and an MCL sprain before he suffered a vertebral fracture in 2017, though it only caused him to miss one game.
2023 was the worst year for Carr overall. He suffered a concussion in Week 10 against the Vikings and also injured his throwing shoulder. He then suffered a concussion against Detroit in Week 13. Though he didn’t miss a game, injuries clearly hurt his play.
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Impact of Injuries on Performance
Though Derek Carr has missed just three games due to injury, it is clear that they have had an impact on his game. By the third time he’d hurt his shoulder in 2023, it was evident how limited his game was.
The Saints depend on Carr as a major focal point in each game. In the third quarter and fourth quarter of the 2023 season, it was evident how limited he was. If the Saints have a shot, it has to be with a healthy Carr.
Current Health Status
Carr had a rough 2023 season. He had a sprained AC joint in Week 3. After the initial injury, he suffered a concussion in Week 10, plus a shoulder injury. Carr was back in concussion protocol by Week 13 in a game against the Detroit Lions. Every Sunday felt like a war for the 33-year-old quarterback.
As of now, Carr is healthy. He has weapons like Chris Olave and Alvin Kamara at his disposal. Games were a struggle last year because of the questions at quarterback. If he can stay healthy, the Saints can challenge for the division title and leave fans a lot less frustrated than last season.
Saints’ Perspective
Carr signed a 4-year, $150 million deal with the New Orleans Saints prior to the 2023 season. Coaches and staff were excited to have him, with quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko saying, “There’s a lot of carryover from things he’s done throughout his past, and then there’s some new stuff that we’ve asked him to do that he’s really embraced. There’s been a lot of communication…just to get everybody on the same page.”
Given his injury history, especially to his throwing shoulder (right shoulder), there are going to be concerns about Carr’s ability to play each week. Though he’s only been out a handful of games (three games, exactly) in his NFL career, it is clear that injuries hamper his game at times.
There isn’t much on the New Orleans Saints depth chart behind Carr. With Taysom Hill and Spencer Rattler behind him, the Saints will need Carr in the lineup each week to contend.
Risk Assessment
With a history of injuries, Derek Carr will bear watching. His game is predicated on toughness and throwing the deep ball, but several injuries have hampered his career. He was replaced by Jameis Winston in the second half of a game against the Packers with a shoulder injury.
The Saints are rated as having one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL. Each week, fans are going to be holding their breath every time Carr gets hit. The Saints won’t be the Detroit Lions but should challenge for a playoff spot if their quarterback can be there every Sunday.
Potential Impact on the Saints’ Season
The New Orleans Saints have a lot of talent going into the 2024 NFL season. The Caesars Superdome is one of the best venues in the league and season tickets go fast. Fans want to see New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr playing his best each Sunday.
He has dealt with shoulder injuries, right shoulder injuries, a nasty back injury, a high ankle sprain, an AC joint sprain, a concussion, and a litany of other injuries. His toughness cannot be questioned, but the Saints need him there on a week to week basis. If he can stay on the field and play his game, the Saints could challenge for a playoff spot.
Can he become one of the New Orleans Saints players of all time?
