The Saints' offense has looked rejuvenated in 2024 behind Derek Carr, who's in his 11th NFL season.
While Carr's numbers in 2023 were solid, New Orleans went just 9-8 and missed the playoffs. Now, behind an offense that's led the league with 31.8 points per game through Week 4, the Saints are looking to take home the NFC South title this season.
Carr is undoubtedly QB1 in New Orleans when healthy — but who is in his place now that he is sidelined with an oblique injury?
Here's a look at the Saints' quarterback depth chart and Carr's numbers this season as the Saints move onto Week 6 without Carr available.
MORE: Why the Saints might be the favorite to land Davante Adams
Saints QB depth chart
| Rank | Player |
| 1 | Spencer Rattler |
| 2 | Jake Haener |
| 3 | Derek Carr — Injured |
No. 1: Spencer Rattler
Rattler was named as the starter for the Saints with Carr set to miss time.
The rookie has a lot of buzz surrounding him as a fifth-round rookie. He impressed in the preseason and there were rumblings that Saints were considering him for QB1, but the veteran entered the season as the starter, and Rattler was listed third on the depth chart.
Over his college career between Oklahoma and South Carolina, Rattler totaled 10,807 passing yards and 77 passing touchdowns against 32 interceptions. Now, he gets set to taste his first bit of NFL action.
No. 2: Jake Haener
Haener was listed as QB2 behind Carr, but remains so even with the injury to the starter. Rattle leapfrogged him on the depth chart.
Haener, who was drafted in the fourth round by the Saints in 2023, didn't play at all in 2023 after being suspended six games for violating the NFL's performance enhancing drug policy. He was the third string quarterback behind Carr and Jameis Winston.
However, with Winston out of the picture, Haener has become QB2 for New Orleans. A strong camp gave Haener the backup role, and he's seen action in two games this season. In Week 1, his only pass attempt was incomplete, and in Week 2, his three rushing attempts went for negative three yards.
When Carr went down with the injury in Week 5, Haener came in relief for the Saints. He went 2-for-7 for 17 yards against the Chiefs.
No. 3: Derek Carr — Injured
Carr is considered week-to-week with an onblique injury.
Since joining the Saints before the 2023 season, Carr's remained one of the league's most efficient quarterbacks. When healthy, he's QB1.
Through four games this season, he's completed 70.0 percent of his passes, which would be a career-high. The longtime Raider has relied on Alvin Kamara, Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed to lift New Orleans' offense, and the results for the unit so far are outstanding.
Carr, 33, doesn't offer much rushing upside or game-changing arm strength, but he does bring precise passing and a strong pocket presence for the Saints.
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Derek Carr career stats
As he continues leading the Saints in their quest to make the playoffs for the first time since 2020, Carr is only building on what's become a great career.
Here's a look at Carr's career numbers, which have come between nine seasons with the Raiders and two with the Saints:
| Games | Completions-Attempts | Comp. % | Passing yards | Pass TDs | INTs | AVG | Rating |
| 163 | 3,648-5,606 | 65.1% | 39,924 | 248 | 110 | 7.1 | 92.6 |
