Saints' Derek Carr: Carves up Cowboys in first half
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Carr completed 11 of 16 passes for 243 yards and two touchdowns with one interception in Sunday's 44-19 rout of the Cowboys. He added a one-yard touchdown run.
The Saints scored 35 of their points before halftime, including all three of the TDs that Carr had a hand in, so he didn't have a whole lot to do in the second half. The New Orleans offense under new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak has been a revelation to begin the season, scoring touchdowns on 11 of its first 21 possessions, and Carr already has three TD passes of 50 or more yards through two weeks, including a 70-yarder to Rashid Shaheed on a deep fly route in the first quarter and a 57-yarder to Alvin Kamara on a screen pass in the second against Dallas. Carr will look to continue the hottest start of his career in a Week 3 home tilt against the Eagles.
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Saints' Derek Carr: Week 2 Waiver Priority List
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Carr was nearly perfect in Week 1 against Carolina with just four incompletions on 23 attempts, with 200 passing yards and three touchdowns. He might have done more damage in a competitive game against the Panthers, and we'll see how he does in Week 2 at Dallas. It won't be an easy matchup, but Carr is worth stashing on your bench if you need a quarterback for up to 5 percent of your remaining FAB.
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Saints' Derek Carr: Nearly perfect in Sunday's rout
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Carr completed 19 of 23 passes for 200 yards and three touchdowns in Sunday's 47-10 rout of the Panthers. He added 13 rushing yards on two carries.
The Saints absolutely dismantled the visitors, scoring on their first nine drives of the game before finally being forced to punt midway through the fourth quarter. Carr led the way with one of the most efficient performances of his career, hitting Rashid Shaheed for a 59-yard score on New Orleans' first possession before finding Foster Moreau (head) for a three-yard TD late in the first quarter and Juwan Johnson for a 16-yard touchdown just before halftime. Carr's first season with the team was viewed as a disappointment, but new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak is off to a flying start in reshaping the attack. However, the unit will face a much tougher test in Week 2 against the Cowboys.
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Saints' Derek Carr: Sleeper QBs
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Carr is playing his best football of the season coming into Week 18 with 10 touchdowns and two interceptions in his past four games while completing 73 percent of his passes. He's also scored at least 19.6 Fantasy points in three games in a row, and the Saints are still alive for the NFC South title or a Wild Card spot. Carr only scored 10.9 Fantasy points at Atlanta in Week 12 with no touchdowns and an interception, but he passed for 304 yards. Two of the past four quarterbacks against the Falcons have scored at least 24.1 Fantasy points, and Carr should have another strong performance in Week 18.
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Saints' Derek Carr: Sleepers (Start/Sit)
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Carr is playing his best football of the season coming into Week 18 with 10 touchdowns and two interceptions in his past four games while completing 73 percent of his passes. He's also scored at least 19.6 Fantasy points in three games in a row, and the Saints are still alive for the NFC South title or a Wild Card spot. Carr only scored 10.9 Fantasy points at Atlanta in Week 12 with no touchdowns and an interception, but he passed for 304 yards. Two of the past four quarterbacks against the Falcons have scored at least 24.1 Fantasy points, and Carr should have another strong performance in Week 18.
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Saints' Derek Carr: Week 18 Waiver Priority List
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Carr has scored at least 19.6 Fantasy points in three games in a row, and the Saints are still alive for the NFC South title or a Wild Card spot. Carr only scored 10.9 Fantasy points at Atlanta in Week 12 with no touchdowns and an interception, but he passed for 304 yards. Two of the past four quarterbacks against the Falcons have scored at least 24.1 Fantasy points.
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Saints' Derek Carr: Adds/Streamers (QB Preview)
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Carr has thrown 10 touchdown passes in his last four games and ranks as QB10 over that stretch in total Fantasy points. He'll be at home, in a dome, with something to play for. You can't ask for much more out of a Week 18 streamer.
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Saints' Derek Carr: Start Him (Lineup Decisions)
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There's definitely been a sense over the past two weeks that the Saints have turned the offense entirely over to Carr. Taysom Hill hasn't been playing as much (under 20% of the snaps in those past two), the Saints have averaged 17.5 RB runs per game (tied for eighth-fewest) and Carr has been lights out against bad pass defenses in the Giants and Rams. The Buccaneers remain one of the league's worst pass defenses -- they allowed over 300 total yards and two touchdowns to the Jaguars last week -- and offenses have averaged 39.0 pass attempts per game against them over the last five (fourth most). You should even excuse Carr's terrible Week 4 loss to the Bucs when he was playing with an injured shoulder and was relegated to checking down passes for four quarters. I'd start Carr over Tua Tagovailoa, Kyler Murray and any QB who plays home games in Ohio.
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Saints' Derek Carr: Week 17 Waiver Priority List
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Carr is peaking at the right time for Fantasy managers with his best two-game stretch heading into Week 17 at Tampa Bay. He's scored a combined 57.2 Fantasy points in his past two outings against the Giants and Rams, with at least 26.3 points in each contest, and he has a favorable matchup against the Buccaneers, who are No. 8 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks. Three quarterbacks in a row have scored at least 21.5 Fantasy points against Tampa Bay, and hopefully Carr can follow suit in Week 17.
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Saints' Derek Carr: Stellar performance in loss
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Carr completed 27 of 40 passes for 319 yards with three touchdowns and one interception and added two carries for two yards in the Saints' 30-22 loss to the Rams on Thursday night. He also threw for a two-point conversion.
The veteran signal-caller had struggled most of his first Saints season in terms of establishing consistency and pushing the ball downfield, but he was able to reverse those trends Thursday, albeit in defeat. Carr's night progressively improved as it unfolded, and he capped off his standout performance with five- and 35-yard touchdown tosses to Juwan Johnson and A.T. Perry, respectively, in the fourth quarter. He also hit Rashid Shaheed from 45 yards out late in the first half for his first scoring pass of the night, marking his second straight three-touchdown tally. Carr's 300-yard effort was his sixth of the campaign overall and a particularly welcome sight for fantasy managers in their playoff contests after he'd topped out at 226 yards in five of his previous six games. The 10-year veteran will aim to carry over the momentum into a Week 17 road division clash with the Buccaneers on New Year's Eve.
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Saints' Derek Carr: Dinks and dunks to Week 15 win
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Carr completed 23 of 28 passes for 218 yards and three touchdowns in Sunday's 24-6 win over the Giants. He also had minus-4 rushing yards on three attempts.
With Chris Olave (ankle) inactive and Michael Thomas (knee) still on injured reserve, Carr had to rely on some unheralded receiving options. Carr connected with Keith Kirkwood for a seven-yard touchdown in the first quarter before adding touchdown passes of 23 yards and one yard to tight ends Juwan Johnson and Jimmy Graham, respectively, in the second half. The three touchdown passes marked a new high for Carr in a Saints uniform. The 32-year-old quarterback will bring a 16:7 TD:INT into Thursday's road game against the Rams, though his ceiling will be capped if the Saints remain shorthanded in the receiving corps.
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Saints' Derek Carr: May avoid injury report
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Head coach Dennis Allen said Wednesday that Carr (rib/shoulder) likely won't be included on the Saints' Week 15 injury report, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.
Carr has entered and completed the concussion protocol on two occasions ahead of New Orleans' last three games, and he's also tended to rib and right shoulder concerns during that stretch. He relayed after this past Sunday's win against the Panthers that he was "up to" three rib fractures at this point in the season, according to Terrell. Having said that, Carr may avoid being listed on this week's practice report entirely, which will become known when the team posts its first version later Wednesday.
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Saints' Derek Carr: Tosses two touchdowns in Week 14
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Carr (rib/shoulder) completed 18 of 26 passes for 119 yards, two touchdowns and one interception during Sunday's 28-6 win against the Panthers.
Not only did Carr suit up one week removed from suffering a concussion and rib and right shoulder injuries, he was playing without wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (thigh), gadget player Taysom Hill (foot/hand) and rookie running back Kendre Miller (ankle). While he failed to reach 200 passing yards for the fifth time in 13 games this season, Carr tossed multiple touchdowns for the fourth occasion, connecting with Chris Olave and Jimmy Graham for short scores (seven and four yards, respectively) in the fourth quarter. Afterward, Carr told Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com that he's "up to three rib fractures" through Week 14, so there's a decent chance he operates with practice restrictions as the Saints prepare for next Sunday's matchup with the Giants.
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Saints' Derek Carr: Playing in Week 14
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Carr (ribs/shoulder) is listed as active Sunday against the Panthers.
Carr entered the protocol for head injuries for the second time in four weeks when he endured a big hit from Lions pass rusher Bruce Irvin last Sunday. At the same time, Carr suffered injuries to his right shoulder and ribs. While he was able to clear the protocol for head injuries by Friday afternoon, he entered the weekend as questionable before the Saints removed his designation Saturday afternoon. With his status confirmed for Week 14, Carr won't have his usual allotments of skill players available, as wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (thigh) and the do-it-all Taysom Hill (foot/hand) are inactive.
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Saints' Derek Carr: Cleared of injuries
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Carr (ribs/right shoulder) was upgraded to available and doesn't carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Panthers, John Hendrix of SI.com reports.
Carr cleared concussion protocol late Friday, but he had still been listed as questionable on the Saints' final Week 14 injury report after a non-displaced rib cartilage fracture to go with a right shoulder injury resulted in him turning in just one full practice this week. Though Carr is now officially cleared for Sunday's game, it's fair to wonder how healthy he truly is, given the litany of injuries he's battled this season along with the fact that he's now been in the concussion protocol twice in the past month alone. Even while playing in each of the Saints' last three contests, Carr has totaled just 640 passing yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Though the 1-11 Panthers represent a favorable matchup on paper, Carolina's defense has gotten some reinforcement in recent weeks thanks to the returns of defensive backs Jaycee Horn and Jeremy Chinn and star edger rusher Brian Burns from injuries.
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Saints' Derek Carr: Clears protocol, on tap for start
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Carr (ribs/right shoulder) remains listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Panthers, but he's on track to start after he cleared the NFL's five-step concussion protocol, a source tells Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football.
Head coach Dennis Allen said Carr was still in the protocol when he met with the media Friday, but after he was a full participant in the Saints' practice later in the day, the quarterback apparently gained clearance when he met with an independent neurologist following practice. The Saints are unlikely to officially confirm Carr's availability for the Week 14 matchup until the team releases its inactive list 90 minutes prior to Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff, but the 32-year-old is poised to direct the New Orleans as he usually does, provided he doesn't re-enter the protocol or experience a setback in his recovery from the other two injuries. Carr has yet to miss a game this season but has been included in the concussion protocol on two occasions and also exited early in a Week 3 loss in Green Bay due to a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder.
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Saints' Derek Carr: Questionable after full practice
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Carr (concussion/rib/shoulder) was a full practice participant Friday and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Panthers, Matthew Paras of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.
The progression to full participation after limited practices Wednesday and Thursday seemingly confirms that the real issue is whether or not Carr can clear concussion protocol in time for Sunday's game, as his shoulder or rib injuries don't look to be anything that would prevent him from playing. Head coach Dennis Allen said Friday that Carr and Jameis Winston both have taken snaps with the first-team offense in practice this week and both have been prepared to make the start, per Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football. Carr's availability for Week 14 won't necessarily come down to a game-time call ahead of Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff, as players in concussion protocol often meet with independent neurologists late Friday or Saturday when attempting to attain clearance for game day. Still, fantasy managers should at least prepare for the possibility that Carr's status isn't confirmed one way or the other until 90 minutes before kickoff, when New Orleans releases its inactive list.
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Saints' Derek Carr: Maintains limited practice activity
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Carr (concussion/rib/right shoulder) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.
Carr has opened Week 14 prep with a pair of limited practices, after the trio of injuries knocked him out early in this past Sunday's loss to the Lions. The concussion appears to be the chief concern for Carr at this juncture, considering that he was previously following the five-step protocol after exiting the Saints' Week 10 loss to Minnesota with a brain injury. He wasn't forced to miss any game action thanks to a well-timed Week 11 bye, but Carr could have a tougher time passing through the protocol ahead of this Sunday's contest against the Panthers. In order to play this weekend, Carr may need to practice fully Friday in addition to getting clearance from an independent neurologist. If Carr isn't available Sunday, Jameis Winston would likely step in as the Saints' starting quarterback.
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Saints' Derek Carr: Officially limited Wednesday
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Carr (concussion/rib/right shoulder) practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday, John Hendrix of SI.com reports.
Just three days removed from sustaining a concussion in addition to injuries to his ribs and right shoulder, Carr was able throw and even sprint during the portion of Wednesday's session open to the media. Head coach Dennis Allen told Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football that Carr remains in the protocol for head injuries but "feels pretty good" with the other two health concerns. Still, Carr's availability for Sunday's game versus the Panthers will be subject to him gaining clearance from an independent neurologist. Unlike when he sustained a concussion back in Week 10, Carr won't have the benefit of a bye week to recover from the injury before the Saints return to action.
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Saints' Derek Carr: Takes part in practice Wednesday
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Carr (concussion/right shoulder/ribs) was seen on the field during the media-access portion of Wednesday's practice, Brooke Kirchhofer of NewOrleans.Football reports.
Carr was driven into the ground during this past Sunday's loss to the Lions, sustaining a trio of injuries while Detroit was assessed a roughing the passer penalty. On Monday, head coach Dennis Allen told John Hendrix of SI.com that Carr's throwing shoulder appeared to check out fine, but the quarterback was in the concussion protocol for the second time in a three-game span and also had a rib issue. Considering he looked like himself while throwing passes and also sprinted at one point Wednesday, Carr seems likely to be at least a limited participant to kick off Week 14 prep.
