Saints Derek Carr Ruled Out Following Unsuccessful Injection in Hand

It looked unlikely throughout the week, but the Saints have laid the hammer on Derek Carr’s status for Sunday’s season finale against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Carr has been officially ruled out of the game after unsuccessfully attempting to inject his hand, according to Saints beat writer Ari Meirov. “#Saints QB Derek Carr has been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the #Bucs after attempts to inject his injured hand were unsuccessful. Spencer Rattler will start the season finale. Alvin Kamara is also listed as doubtful,” Meirov said on X. #Saints QB Derek Carr has been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the #Bucs after attempts to inject his injured hand were unsuccessful. Spencer Rattler will start the season finale. Alvin Kamara is also listed as doubtful. The #Bucs can clinch the NFC South with a win. — Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 3, 2025 Carr missed the last three games due to a hand injury and has remained out of practice all week. Head coach Darren Rizzi gave both Carr and running back Alvin Kamara, who is doubtful to play, as much time as possible to achieve a healthy status for their last chance to play this season. “I’m going to leave that window open for both those guys for as long as possible because I know those guys have been just working their butts off on the rehab process,” Rizzi said Wednesday. “And I think I’m going to respect their wishes until we figure out that they can’t do it.” NEW ORLEANS, LA – DECEMBER 01: Derek Carr #4 of the New Orleans Saints looks on from the field during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams at Caesars Superdome on December 1,… NEW ORLEANS, LA – DECEMBER 01: Derek Carr #4 of the New Orleans Saints looks on from the field during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams at Caesars Superdome on December 1, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Rizzi has pushed to get both players back on the field before the season’s end for morale purposes despite the risks that come with playing through injuries in worthless games. “I know there’s probably some fans out there, why the heck would you play Alvin Kamara? Why the heck would you play Derek Carr? These guys want to play and it’s my job to respect their wishes. Both these guys are captains, are leaders. They’ve been unbelievable for our locker room. And the fact of the matter is you know, we’re 5-5 this year with Derek Carr as our starting quarterback. We’re 0-5 without him and that’s just it. We can slice and dice however many ways we want, the bottom line is we’ve won five games with Derek at quarterback. We’ve lost five and three of those five games that we lost were by three points or less, because he gives us the best chance to win.” Spencer Rattler will start again after hurling for 218 yards, one touchdown, and two turnovers in last week’s 25-10 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. The rookie has lost all five of his starts since replacing Carr on Oct. 13 and throwing for a season-best of 243 yards and one touchdown. The 5-11 Saints are eliminated from playoff contention, but Tampa Bay, which is 9-7, will clinch the NFC South with a victory on Sunday. While securing a win remains the primary goal, the red-hot Bucs, who have won five of their last six games, are also eager to see Evans tie Hall of Famer Jerry Rice’s record of 11 consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons. Evans is already the only player in NFL history to start his career with 10 straight 1,000-yard seasons. He would also surpass Hall of Famer Randy Moss for the second-most all-time. Rice leads the list with 14. More news: Vikings’ Aaron Jones Game Status Revealed For NFC North Decider vs Lions For more on the NFL, visit Newsweek Sports.