Saints Quarterback Derek Carr Suffers Oblique Injury, Future Uncertain

New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr suffered an oblique injury during Monday night’s game, a source confirmed to ESPN. The incident occurred toward the end of the Saints’ 26-13 defeat, and an MRI conducted on Tuesday confirmed the injury to Carr’s oblique.

The quarterback initially believed the injury occurred while throwing an incomplete pass, prompting further testing. The source did not provide a timeline for Carr’s recovery, though oblique injuries commonly result in multiweek absences. In the upcoming days, the Saints are scheduled to face the New England Patriots on Sunday and the Jacksonville Jaguars on October 17th during “Thursday Night Football.” Should Carr be unable to play, rookie quarterback Jake Haener or veteran backup Jameis Winston are expected to step in, with Haener having replaced Carr against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The oblique muscles are crucial for a quarterback as they contribute to the core muscle power necessary for effective throws rather than arm strength alone. Carr explained that he exited the game not because of the pain but due to a reduction in his performance capacity. “It wasn’t like dealing with pain. … I just can’t do what I want to do,” he stated.

Drew Brees, former Saints quarterback, faced a left oblique strain before the 2014 season, sidelining him for two weeks of training camp. Brees, who was 35 at that time, admitted that the injury led to changes in his mechanics and introduced bad habits due to his haste in returning to play before full recovery.

Carr has encountered multiple injuries since joining the Saints, including a sprained AC joint in his shoulder and being placed in concussion protocol twice last year. As of Week 4 this season, Carr was documented with a left groin injury. The NFL Network was the first to report that additional testing confirmed the latest injury was indeed to Carr’s oblique.