In a true testament to his grit and determination, New Orleans Saints quarterbackDerek Carr is set to lace up his cleats and take the field in Week 4, despite nursing an AC joint sprain in his right shoulder.
The injury occurred in the third quarter of the Saints’ Week 3 matchup against the Green Bay Packers. Carr, known for his poise under pressure, found himself on the receiving end of a crushing tackle by Packers linebacker Rashan Gary. The force of the hit sent Carr tumbling to the turf, clutching his shoulder in agony. Immediate concerns arose about the severity of the injury.
Source: #Saints QB Derek Carr will start today, despite an AC joint injury.
After the game, Carr underwent X-rays to assess the extent of the damage to his shoulder. The results confirmed the team’s worst fears: Carr had sustained an AC joint sprain. This type of injury can be quite debilitating, especially for a quarterback who relies heavily on his throwing arm.
The decision to let Carr take the field wasn’t made lightly. Saints head coach Dennis Allen was cautious but ultimately confident in Carr’s abilities. After thorough evaluation and consultation with the medical team, Allen and the Saints organization concluded that Carr was fit to play.
The Saints had two capable backups in former Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston and the versatile Taysom Hill. Both have demonstrated their ability to step up when called upon. Winston’s experience as a starter in the league and Hill’s Swiss Army knife-like utility make them valuable assets in the Saints’ arsenal. In Carr’s three games as a Saint he’s 57 of 87 (65.5 completion percentage) for 636 yards, 2 touchdowns and 2 picks.
In other news the Saints elevated (standard elevations) defensive backs Johnathan Abram and Cameron Dantzler Sr. from the practice squad to the active roster.
Inactives Shake Up Saints vs. Bucs Matchup
One of the most significant absences will be that of starting cornerback Paulson Adebo. The rookie corner has been a promising addition to the Saints’ defense this season, and his absence may be felt as they attempt to slow down the potent Buccaneers’ passing attack.
In addition to Adebo, the Saints will be without rookie safety Jordan Howden, quarterback Jake Luton, tight end Foster Moreau, rookie receiver A.T. Perry, defensive end Kyle Phillips, and starting guard Cesar Ruiz. These inactives represent a mix of positions, but the absence of Adebo and Howden in the secondary is sure to be a focal point for both teams.
On the other side of the ball, the Buccaneers also have their share of inactives. Defensive back Jamel Dean will miss the game due to a neck and shoulder injury, and linebacker SirVocea Dennis is sidelined with a hamstring issue. Defensive tackle Calijah Kancey and cornerback Derrek Pitts will also be unavailable due to calf and hamstring injuries, respectively.
