Spencer Rattler a ‘strong candidate’ to start in Carr’s absence, per report

The New Orleans Saints got some big injury news on Tuesday afternoon when they learned that Derek Carr, who exited Monday’s game against Kansas City early with an oblique injury, is expected to miss at least two weeks, meaning the Saints will have to turn to either Jake Harner – who replaced Carr when he left the game Monday – or rookie Spencer Rattle to take over as QB1.

A few minutes after Carr’s injury news was reported, Mike Garafolo reported that Rattler is a ‘strong candidate’ to takeover as the Saints starting QB in Carr’s absence. Rattler has served as the Saints emergency QB through the first five weeks of the season and could not enter in Carr’s place on Monday due to the new emergency QB rules.

More on the #Saints’ QB situation: Rookie fifth-rounder Spencer Rattler is a strong candidate to get the start in Derek Carr’s absence, sources tell me and @RapSheet.

With Drake Maye getting the ball for the #Patriots, that would make five rookie QBs to get a start this year. pic.twitter.com/QCk6CvxS8x

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) October 8, 2024

Rattler made three appearances in the preseason for the Saints, and his performance caught the eyes of many. On his first career drive, Rattler led the Saints 70 yards on seven play drive, which ended in him punching in a four-yard rushing touchdown. Later that game, Rattler bounced back from three consecutive punts with a 12-play, 56-yard drive which concluded in a 37-yard game-winning field goal from Charlie Smyth.

Rattler was a bit more shaky in his second game against the 49ers. He attempted just eight passes in the second half, completing four of them for 28 yards. He was only able to lead the offense on one scoring drive, which came on a 52-yard field goal. However, he bounced back nicely with a 105-yard, one touchdown performance in the preseason finale against Tennessee.

The Saints fifth-round pick had some ups and downs in college, but ended his career with a strong 2023 campaign where he threw for 3,186 yards and 19 touchdowns behind one of the worst offensive lines in the country. He was known to have some character issues in high school and in his early college days, which could’ve been why he slipped so far in the draft, but it seems he really matured under Shane Beamer at South Carolina.

If the Saints decide to start Rattler this weekend, they’re betting on his upside. Jake Haener is definitely the safer option, but this team has lost three straight games and has a tough matchup with a divisional opponent this weekend. They don’t need someone who will throw for 150 yards and maybe a touchdown, they need someone who could possibly give them a 200-yard, 2+ TD performance, and I think their best shot at getting that is with Rattler.

The kid has all the arm talent in the world. Will he put the ball in harms way? Probably, but it’ll be a lot more fun and, in my opinion, give you a better chance at winning with him under center.

We’ll see how things unfold over the course of this week, but I think a large majority of the fanbase is hoping Rattler gets his number called.

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