The New Orleans Saints have gotten off to a good start to the season with a 2-0 record thanks in large part to them having one of the (if not the) best defenses in the NFL.
On the other side of the ball they’re led by Derek Carr, who may not be among the NFL’s elite at quarterback, but certainly gives the Saints a competent and quality veteran starter to manage the offense and play complementary ball alongside their defense. On Sunday, the Saints put forth their best half of football thus far, taking a 17-0 lead on the road in Green Bay at the break. The defense contributed one of the touchdowns with Carr providing the other, and it looked in the mid-third as though the Saints would be cruising to a win and the good vibes of a 3-0 start.
However, on a third down dropback, Carr got slung to the ground by Packers defensive lineman Rashan Gary, slamming onto his throwing shoulder, where he would stay down on the ground and receive attention from the training staff.
Here is the play that Saints QB Derek Carr got injured on.
He’s in a lot of pain. Hope he’s okay. Jameis Winston is set to enter the game. pic.twitter.com/K8puipUbVx
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulli) September 24, 2023
Saints QB Derek Carr was slow to get up after the previous play. pic.twitter.com/di3SHSGm12
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 24, 2023
Carr would eventually walk off the field and to the locker room for X-rays on that shoulder, with the Saints officially ruling him as questionable with a shoulder injury.
Derek Carr (shoulder) questionable to return to today’s game
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) September 24, 2023
That meant Jameis Winston was inserted under center for the next drive, with the Saints at least having the luxury of having one of the best backups in the league still on their roster. However, the Saints organization and fans will be waiting nervously for an update on Carr’s health, as he took a nasty hit on that shoulder when he was thrown violently to the ground, and losing him for an extended period would be highly unfortunate.
UPDATE: Carr was ruled out with a shoulder injury later in the second half.