New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr suffered a massive injury during the team’s Week 14 matchup against the New York Giants. After optimism that the damage might not have been as bad as originally feared, news out of New Orleans wasn’t positive for the Saints starting QB.
Derek Carr’s Injury Against the New York Giants
Carr dove forward along the sideline while trying to scramble for a first down late in the fourth quarter of the team’s Week 14 contest against the Giants.
As Carr landed hard on the turf, most of his weight appeared to land on his left hand and wrist. He was down on the field for a while before making his way to the blue medical tent. Carr subsequently walked to New Orleans’ locker room near the two-minute warning.
The Saints announced that Carr had a left-hand injury and was being evaluated for a concussion.
Derek Carr #saints
Injured on this play, not moving his left arm as he walked off the field. Landed hard on his left hand which would lead to concern for a wrist/forearm fracture or wrist sprain. Possible shoulder but less likely. We’ll see what the reports say pic.twitter.com/JPUwEf99sg
— Tom Christ, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT (@FantasyInjuryT) December 8, 2024
Carr completed 20 of 31 attempts for 219 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. The Saints were leading the Giants 14-11 when he left Sunday’s game.
This isn’t the first time Carr has been injured this season. He suffered an oblique issue in Week 5 and was sidelined from Weeks 6 through 8. Since returning in Week 9, Carr ranked 11th in EPA per dropback (0.11) but just 28th in passing success rate (38.8%).
Backup quarterback Jake Haener replaced Carr. Haener filled in when Carr went down in Week 5, but fifth-round rookie Spencer Rattler started the next three games.
Carr’s $30 million base salary for 2025 is guaranteed for injury. If he were unable to pass a physical next March, the Saints would be on the hook for that total, even if they wanted to release him. Carr’s 2025 base salary will become fully guaranteed on the third day of the league year.
Did Carr Return in Week 14?
FOX’s broadcast reported that the Saints would not update Carr’s injury status until after Sunday’s game. He never re-entered Week 14, which ended in a New Orleans win.
The Saints are 5-8 and nominally still in the mix for the NFC South title. Carr — known as one of the NFL‘s toughest players — will unfortunately be on the sideline for the team’s playoff push.
After Sunday’s win, NFL Network reported that Carr fractured his left hand.
Saints QB Derek Carr expected to miss several weeks with significant fracture in left hand. (via @rapsheet & @tompelissero) pic.twitter.com/mrBWyiEF8x
— NFL (@NFL) December 9, 2024
Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi confirmed Carr’s left-hand injury but said he was unsure if the veteran quarterback had officially been placed in the NFL’s concussion protocol.
Carr left the stadium with his left hand in a cast, according to Saints reporter Nick Underhill.