Derek Carr ‘frustrated’ as he reports his season is over | Saints

New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr is “frustrated” by the coverage of his left hand injury and is still committed to returning this season, interim coach Darren Rizzi said Thursday.

The NFL Network reported this week that Carr is “very unlikely” to play again this season after undergoing further evaluation that revealed he is “at least a few weeks away from avoiding contact.” . But speaking to reporters, Rizzi disputed the account and reiterated that the quarterback has “no reach” before the season is over.

If Carr is unable to play in Monday’s game against the Green Bay Packers, quarterback Spencer Rattler will start, according to Rizzi.

But Carr had a “really good day” in his rehab today, Rizzi said. The quarterback was injured in the final minutes of a Dec. 8 win over the New York Giants when Carr tried to jump over a teammate and score a first down.

“If he was done for the season, we would have put him on injured reserve and shut him down by now,” Rizzi said. “That is simply not the case. He works his tail off every day. Some reports frustrate him.

“Honestly, we’ve had several conversations about it and he’s here every day.”

Rizzi said Carr needs to get his hand back to some level of function before he can practice again.

While the coach had previously said it was possible for Carr to return without practicing, Rizzi said Thursday that the Saints would like him to get in at least one practice session since he has been out for an extended period of time. Carr is also in the league’s concussion protocol and to clear that he must complete at least one practice. But Carr’s concussion “is not a problem” and he will be cleared to practice once his hand is in good enough condition, Rizzi said.

But even though the Saints are 5-9 with just three games left, Rizzi made it clear that the team has no plans to cut the quarterback.

“I asked someone the other day, ‘Why should we try to bring Derek back?’” Rizzi said, adding: “Since I took over, Derek has started four games. We are 3-1 in these games. He has a 68% completion rate. He threw 6 touchdowns. He has an interception. He took two bags with him. His quarterback rating is over 103.

“So why should I play him? I think it’s pretty obvious why we would play him.”

Carr’s contract includes an injury guarantee that protects his base salary of $30 million for 2025 if he fails to pass a physical exam by the third day of the upcoming league year in March.

But that apparently won’t be a factor in New Orleans’ decision, as Carr was benched by the Las Vegas Raiders in the final two games of 2022 to avoid using his injury guarantee.

“I don’t speak for (general manager) Mickey (Loomis) or Mrs. (Gayle) Benson, but I think if the organization had been worried about that, it would have been easier to put him on hold for a year.” Get him well (and) have him pass a physical exam,” Rizzi said.

One thing the Saints won’t do is put Carr “in danger,” Rizzi said, if the quarterback wants to play but can’t function properly. The Saints need to make sure Carr has the strength and grip to protect the ball, the coach said.

But other quarterbacks, such as Buffalo’s Josh Allen, have been able to play with a broken non-throwing hand – and that gives the Saints hope that Carr can overcome a similar injury should he be cleared for contact.

Still, Rizzi said there is “no doubt” Carr wants to return. The argument is whether he can do it.

“Derek is extremely competitive in every aspect of his life,” tight end Foster Moreau said. “I love the guy. He’s an extreme competitor and if he feels like he can get going and give his team a chance to win then I don’t doubt him. Not for a second.”