Week 4’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will mark the return to the lineup for New Orleans Saints running back, Alvin Kamara. But while Kamara will be on the field, another one of New Orleans’ offensive starters will likely be sidelined.
Quarterback Derek Carr suffered a shoulder injury in the third quarter of New Orleans’ Week 3 loss to the Green Bay Packers. While it initially looked like it might be a serious injury, Carr and the Saints appear to have avoided absolute disaster. Still, they are likely going to be cautious.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted on Monday that Carr will likely be out of action for New Orleans’ Week 4 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“While Saints’ HC Dennis Allen characterized Derek Carr and his sprained AC joint as week to week, the team is going to be cautious with its QB and it would be a surprise if Carr played Sunday vs the Bucs,” Schefter tweeted. “So it’s setting up as Saints’ QB Jameis Winston vs. his former team.”
While Saints’ HC Dennis Allen characterized Derek Carr and his sprained AC joint as week to week, the team is going to be cautious with its QB and it would be a surprise if Carr played Sunday vs the Bucs.
So it’s setting up as Saints’ QB Jameis Winston vs. his former team.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 26, 2023
This isn’t surprising. Even though Carr’s injury was not as bad as originally feared, he still took a significant hit and will likely not be close to 100% by Sunday. And while he’s had his ups and downs, Winston is one of the best and certainly most experienced backup quarterbacks in the NFL.
That said, while it’s only Week 4, it is a significant game. The Saints are in a three-way tie for the NFC South division lead along with the Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons. Sunday’s winner will not only be a game ahead of the loser but will have a significant inside track for both the head-to-head and division record tiebreakers at the end of the season.
