The New Orleans Saints’ troubles deepened on Monday night with a third consecutive defeat, a 26-13 road loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. But the team’s biggest concern might be the health of their starting quarterback, Derek Carr, who is set to undergo an MRI after sustaining an oblique injury late in the game.
Derek Carr left the field in the fourth quarter after a failed fourth-and-8 play at the Chiefs’ 42-yard line. Although a Chiefs defender pressured him, Carr revealed the injury occurred during his throwing motion, not from contact. “It wasn’t the hit,” Carr explained postgame. “I felt it on the throw, not on the hit, and once I tried to keep going, I knew I just couldn’t do it anymore.”
Derek Carr’s frustration was evident as he discussed the injury further, noting that he initially hoped to return but realized it wasn’t possible. Carr explained, ‘I inquired about potential solutions to return to the game, but there simply wasn’t enough time. It’s not a matter of enduring pain; it’s about performing at a high level, and I was unable to do that.’
Jake Haener replaced Carr for the Saints’ final drive, but the offense continued to struggle, with Haener completing just 2 of 7 passes for 17 yards. New Orleans turned the ball over on downs once more, sealing their 2-3 record for the season.
Before his exit, Derek Carr completed 18 of 28 passes for 165 yards, throwing two touchdowns and one interception. Through five games this season, the 33-year-old veteran has thrown for 989 yards with eight touchdowns and four interceptions, completing 70.3% of his passes.
Derek Carr’s leadership and ability to push through adversity have been a hallmark of his career, making his potential absence a huge blow for the Saints. The four-time Pro Bowler, who spent nine seasons with the Raiders before joining New Orleans in 2023, has a career starting record of 74-90.
The Saints’ next steps will largely depend on Carr’s MRI results, as the team hopes to avoid a prolonged absence that could further derail their season.
