During Week 5 of Monday Night Football, the Saints faced the Chiefs on the road. In the fourth quarter of the game, starting QB Derek Carr suffered an oblique injury in their 26-13 loss to Kansas City and did not return to the field. QB Jake Haener stepped in to finish the game.
League sources have reported that Carr is week-to-week and will miss the Saints’ Week 6 game. Although Haener filled in for Carr in Week 5, he will not be starting in Week 6. The Saints have decided to give rookie QB Spencer Rattler the starting role against the Buccaneers. This will mark Rattler’s first appearance in an NFL regular season game. The Saints, currently with a 2-3 record, are coming off three consecutive losses.
Spencer Rattler to Make NFL Starting Debut vs. Bucs in Week 6
Breaking: Saints rookie QB Spencer Rattler will start Sunday vs. the Buccaneers, head coach Dennis Allen announced. pic.twitter.com/7fpzztyzVY
— ESPN (@espn) October 9, 2024
In the 2024 NFL draft, the Saints selected QB Spencer Rattler from South Carolina with a fifth-round pick. Rattler, who played five seasons in college, spent his first three years at Oklahoma before transferring to South Carolina for his final two seasons. During his time at Oklahoma, Rattler appeared in 23 games, passing for 4,595 yards, 40 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He also contributed 260 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns. After transferring to South Carolina, Rattler played in 25 games, throwing for 6,212 yards, 37 touchdowns, and 20 interceptions over two seasons.
The Saints included Rattler on their 53-man roster after selecting him in the fifth round of the 2024 draft. Head coach Dennis Allen has confirmed that the rookie will start for New Orleans in Week 6, marking his NFL regular season debut. Following the game against the Buccaneers on October 13, the Saints have a Thursday Night Football matchup against Denver on the 17th. It remains uncertain whether Carr will be available to play against the Broncos. If Rattler performs well in Week 6, the Saints may opt to continue starting him in Week 7.
