Derek Carr was knocked from Sunday's game when the New Orleans Saints' quarterback took a vicious hit in the pocket in the third quarter of Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.
Carr ultimately walked into the locker room under his own power, but appeared to be in significant pain, and favoring his shoulder after being sacked by Packers defensive lineman Rashan Gary. After spending some time in the blue medical tent, Carr underwent X-rays on his shoulder, after leaving the contest. The veteran was officially listed as "questionable" to return, while undergoing examination in the locker room. The team later ruled him out with a shoulder injury.
Prior to Carr getting injured, the Saints offense largely had its way with the Packers, as the veteran quarterback passed for 103 yards with a touchdown as New Orleans led 17-0, while dominating Green Bay in all phases of the game.
Derek Carr is headed to the locker room after taking a big hit.
Jameis is in for NOLA
(via @NFLonFOX) pic.twitter.com/x9WtxskjOS
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) September 24, 2023
Fortunately for the Saints, Carr was replaced in the lineup by veteran Jameis Winston. Winston, in his fourth season with the Saints, has plenty of familiarity with the Saints' scheme and explosive personnel.
New Orleans bet big prior to the season, that Carr could be a missing piece to not only lead the Saints back to the NFC South crown but also potentially on a deep postseason run in the NFC. Through the first two-plus games of his season, Carr had passed for 636 yards with two touchdowns to two interceptions.
While it seems like the Saints are cruising, especially offensively, against the Packers, the bigger worry in New Orleans becomes whether Carr's injury will be significant enough to cause him to miss significant time. Entering Sunday's action, the Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Atlanta Falcons, were all among the NFL's 9 teams to start the season undefeated at 2-0.
The Saint will not patiently await the results of Carr's X-ray, and his long-term prognosis.
