New Orleans quarterback Derek Carr, who hasn’t played since sustaining an oblique injury in Week 5, has resumed throwing but is unlikely to return this week, Saints coach Dennis Allen said Wednesday.
Allen said he expects rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler to start Sunday’s game for the Saints (2-5) against the host Los Angeles Chargers (3-3). Carr took part in throwing sessions on Monday and Tuesday as the coaches gauge his progress.
Rattler, 24, was a fifth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft out of South Carolina. He has started the past two games and has completed 52.7 percent of his passes for 415 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in losses to Tampa Bay (51-27) and Denver (33-10). He is dealing with a hip issue.
Carr, 33, was expected to miss multiple weeks after the injury in the 26-13 loss to the host Kansas City Chiefs on Oct. 7. He was replaced by second-year backup Jake Haener, but Rattler made his professional debut the following week.
Carr has passed for 989 yards, eight touchdowns and four interceptions this season, his second in New Orleans. He was a four-time Pro Bowl selection during nine seasons with the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders.
