Saints QB Derek Carr enters concussion protocol again after brutal hit in loss vs Lions

Despite being one of the top five quarterbacks in franchise history, the Las Vegas Raiders parted ways with Derek Carr with two games left in the regular season last year. Meanwhile, the New Orleans Saints took prompt action to add the veteran to their roster in a four-year deal, yet since his arrival in New Orleans, the quarterback has been enduring a rough season in terms of injuries.

In a tough 33-28 loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday, the New Orleans Saints faced a familiar challenge as their starting quarterback suffered a significant injury, casting doubt on his availability for the upcoming game of the season.

Derek Carr faces second concussion in a month

Derek Carr faced a barrage of hard hits during the recent Week 13 game, with one particular blow from Detroit defensive end Bruce Irvin causing significant concern. Irvin’s forceful hit left Carr on the ground, requiring immediate medical attention, and ultimately forced him to exit the game without making a return, per the report from 4WWL.

The impact of the hit was compounded by Irvin’s subsequent action of lowering his entire body weight onto Carr. However, the severity of the hit raised questions about potential penalties.

Following this incident, New Orleans coach Dennis Allen revealed on Monday that Derek Carr is now in concussion protocol for the second time in the past month. Additionally, Carr is undergoing evaluation for a rib injury, adding to the growing list of health concerns for the seasoned quarterback.

This is not the first time Carr has grappled with the repercussions of a forceful hit. In the Saints’ game against the Vikings on November 12, Carr suffered a concussion, marking the beginning of a series of early exits from games due to injuries. The recurrence of such incidents within a short span has raised eyebrows, prompting concerns about the cumulative effect on Carr’s health.

Coach Allen acknowledged the gravity of Carr’s situation, stating that it’s concerning when a player experiences multiple head injuries in a brief period. When questioned about the possibility of sitting Carr out due to the cumulative effect of these injuries, Allen drew a distinction between the situations faced by Carr and Jameis Winston last year.

“I think both of those are totally different situations. They’re both totally different situations. We’re not getting into what we did last year and what we’re doing this year, alright? Look, Derek’s in the concussion protocol right now. We will evaluate that as we go.”

The ongoing evaluation of Carr’s condition will determine the team’s course of action. Meanwhile, the quarterback’s shoulder, initially injured in Week 3 and re-aggravated in Week 10, appears to be holding up. Carr managed to recover during the Saints’ bye week, providing a brief respite from the frustrations stemming from the recurrent injuries that have marred his season. 

Jameis Winston’s lighthearted gesture to Derek Carr goes viral

In Sunday’s game, Jameis Winston stepped in for Derek Carr, contributing to a touchdown drive initiated by Carr but ultimately falling short as he turned the ball over on downs late in the game.

Despite the on-field challenges, a heartening off-field moment unfolded between Winston and Carr on the Saints’ sideline during the broadcast.

As captured by Fox cameras, Winston and Carr were seated side by side, and in a spontaneous gesture, Winston offered a supportive series of taps on Carr’s back. This unexpected display of camaraderie resonated with fans, providing a poignant contrast to the on-field struggles.

The Saints, unfortunately, faced a setback with a 5-7 record following the loss. With Carr likely sidelined due to concussion protocol, Winston is poised to take the helm as the starter in the upcoming game against the 1-12 Panthers on Sunday.

Do you think under Winston, the Saints can grab the win from the struggling Panthers, whose head coach was recently dismissed?