Saints quarterback Derek Carr was willing to risk his health to improve New Orleans°®¶¹app™ chances of playing meaningful football in mid-December.
Now the Saints, who°®¶¹app™ve remained mathematically alive in the playoff race by winning three of four, might have to play without Carr again °®¶¹app“ and it didn°®¶¹app™t go well the last time.
Saints interim coach Darren Rizzi declined on Monday to rule out Carr for any of New Orleans°®¶¹app™ final four games because of his injured non-throwing hand or his concussion. Both injuries occurred when he tried to leap for a first down and crashed hard to the turf during the fourth quarter of New Orleans°®¶¹app™ 14-11 victory over the reeling New York Giants on Sunday.
Rizzi noted that Carr must clear the concussion protocol first. After that, he said, the Saints can see how well Carr can operate with his hand injury.
°®¶¹appœIt°®¶¹app™s been done before,°®¶¹app Rizzi said when asked about the prospect of an NFL QB playing with an injured non-throwing hand. °®¶¹appœIt appears at moment that it°®¶¹app™s non-surgical, which is a big aspect of it. ... That°®¶¹app™s why we°®¶¹app™re going to discuss the options.°®¶¹app
If Carr can°®¶¹app™t play, his replacement will be either second-year pro Jake Haener or rookie Spencer Rattler. Rattler started three games earlier this season when Carr had an oblique injury °®¶¹app“ all losses by New Orleans, which was in the midst of a seven-game skid.
Saints°®¶¹app™ assistant to Oklahoma State
Todd Grantham is leaving the staff of the NFL°®¶¹app™s Saints to become the defensive coordinator at Oklahoma State, New Orleans interim coach Darren Rizzi said.
Grantham has been defensive coordinator for the Browns in the NFL and for Georgia, Louisville, Mississippi State and Florida at the college level.
Panthers°®¶¹app™ rookie RB out for season
The Panthers have lost rookie running back Jonathon Brooks for the remainder of the season to a torn ACL in his right knee just three games into his return to the field.
Brooks suffered a non-contact injury in Carolina°®¶¹app™s 22-16 loss to the Eagles on Sunday on his first carry of the game and was carted to the locker room.
Panthers coach Dave Canales said Brooks will have surgery in the coming weeks, adding that the running back is °®¶¹appœreally crushed and discouraged°®¶¹app over the second major injury to his knee in 13 months. Brooks first tore his ACL in November 2023 while playing for Texas, requiring surgery and causing his stock to drop in the NFL draft.
