METAIRIE, La. – The New Orleans Saints didn’t waste much time thinking about the decision to start rookie Spencer Rattler against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Saints starting quarterback Derek Carr injured his oblique on Monday night against the Kansas City Chiefs. Saints offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak informed Rattler Tuesday morning that he would start this Sunday against the Bucs.

“Klint said, ‘Hey, let’s have a great week. Let’s prepare at a high level and put a great plan in place.’ … It was short and sweet and we got to work,” Rattler said.

Carr was officially ruled out of the match on Friday. Tight end Taysom Hill (rib), guard Cesar Ruiz (knee), safety Will Harris (hamstring) and linebacker Pete Werner (hamstring) were also ruled out.

The Saints opted to use a fifth-round rookie pick on second-year player Jake Haener, who has taken all the snaps behind Carr in games this year. Rattler has been inactive as a third stopgap quarterback.

Rattler said he was excited to find out the team was confident in his ability to start in Carr’s absence. The Saints also host the Denver Broncos during a short week on Thursday.

“I love our group. I have so many talented guys to lean on. You don’t have to do too much, I just give them the ball,” Rattler said.

Rattler said he worked his whole life for this opportunity, but was sad it came at the expense of a teammate.

“It sucks that Derek got hurt, our leader of our team, one of the best guys in the building,” Rattler said. “But I have a job to do, I have to go out there and perform at a high level.”

Rattler said he is confident in the game plan against the Buccaneers this week, even as he admitted he will try to shake off pregame nerves before his first NFL start.

“What I like about Klint and our offensive staff is that we tailor it to who is playing,” Rattler said. “I really like that, I’m confident and we’ve had a great week so far.”

Saints coach Dennis Allen and Kubiak both praised Rattler’s attitude this week ahead of the game.

“I think Spencer has always had a no-nonsense mentality,” Allen said. “…I think he, along with the rest of the team, including the coaches, are all excited to see what he can do.”

Kubiak said Rattler “has some swag.”

“He has a natural ease, he’s comfortable in his own skin,” Kubiak said.

Rattler said a number of friends and family reached out this week after hearing the news. Among them was former Saints quarterback Archie Manning, who has been in regular contact since Rattler entered the Manning Passing Academy in 2022. Rattler said Carr has also been a source of advice this week.

“He said, ‘Hey, look, anything you need, I’m here,’” Rattler said. “And then that’s the most solid guy I’ve been around, you know what I mean? Just a people person, great character, that speaks volumes about who he is. So I mean, I’m just giving you a little bit of information about what you need to do expect, you know, ‘Be nice and calm, cool, and just let loose.’ Derek has been great and couldn’t ask for a better leader in this room.”