The longer Derek Carr is sidelined with his oblique injury, the longer the Saints will have a quarterback problem – regardless of who is under center.

Carr isn’t the only quarterback dealing with an injury. In the past, when its starting quarterback has been injured, New Orleans has turned to the versatile Taysom Hill in some unique formations and arrangements. However, Hill is dealing with a rib injury and has missed the past two games.

Spencer Rattler got the starting nod in place of Carr, Hill and Jake Haener from Week 1 in Week 6 against the Buccaneers, a 51-27 loss. With Carr and Hill sidelined again against Denver, Rattler got the starting nod. However, when the game ended, Haener was under center.

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Was Spencer Rattler on the bench against Broncos?

Rattler was sacked six times in the 33-10 loss to the Broncos, finishing for 172 yards on 25 of 35 passing. He also had five carries for 34 yards. Rattler didn’t have a terrible game, as he was missing his top two wide receivers, Chris Olave (concussion) and Rashid Shaheed (knee).

Still, he couldn’t get New Orleans into the end zone and took a big hit late in the fourth quarter. Rattler slowly got up after fumbling the ball, which was returned for a touchdown. When the Saints got the ball back, there were four minutes left in the game. Rattler was present at the violation until the two-minute warning.

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On the other side of the two-minute warning, it was Haener who took over under center. He and New Orleans were at the Denver 48. It took three plays and Haener connected with Cedrick Wilson Jr. on a 12-yard touchdown.

Carr is expected to be sidelined again next week when the Saints take on the Chargers. Rattler going to the bench late in the game would likely keep him for that, considering all the other injuries New Orleans is dealing with.

Spencer Rattler had a “hip pointer” and that is why he was pulled with two minutes to go. I didn’t want to take the risk if the game got out of hand.

— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) October 18, 2024

Still, the Saints might have a bit of a quarterback competition on their hands, as Haener looked solid even if it was off time in a blowout loss.

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Spencer Rattler ‘interception’, explained

In the first half, Rattler fumbled on the snap, ran into his own lineman and then fumbled with the ball while being tackled. It was returned for a touchdown, but was called back because a Denver defender was offside.

this is a masterpiece. pic.twitter.com/VX7rH7T4eT

— Annie Agar (@AnnieAgar) October 18, 2024

A similar situation occurred in the second half. Rattler starts to crawl to his right, but a blitzer comes at him from his blind side. He goes to throw it, and it gets knocked out of his hands and right into the arms of Cody Barton, who returns it for a touchdown.

Spencer Rattler is upset right now 😬

pic.twitter.com/HgrHhIcjcq

— NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats) October 18, 2024

It appears it was an interception, but when it was reviewed it was ruled that his arm had not yet come forward and the ball was stripped. Although it didn’t hit the ground, it’s technically a fumble.