Carr joined the Saints this offseason, but we don't expect the change of scenery to have a big impact on his Fantasy value. Once again, we're viewing Carr as a low-end QB2 who should be drafted in the final rounds as a backup in one-quarterback leagues. He is actually more valuable in leagues where you can start two QBs because of his floor, which is greatly enhanced by his job security. The way Carr beats those expectations is if Chris Olave and Michael Thomas both stay healthy all year and offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael makes a major change to his game plan, which had the Saints at 26th in the NFL in pass attempts last year. In that scenario, Carr could sneak into the QB12 discussion.
Carr (ribs/right shoulder) was upgraded Saturday and does not carry an injury designation into Sunday's matchup against the Panthers.
Carr cleared concussion protocol late Friday, but Saturday's announcement was a welcome surprise given the veteran quarterback's litany of injuries. Now that fantasy managers can have full confidence regarding Carr's availability, attention can be turned to his inconsistent play as of late considering he's total just 640 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions combined in the past three weeks. While Carolina's record would indicate the Saints should have some success Sunday, the defense has gotten better in recent weeks thanks to the return of Jaycee Horn and Brian Burns, so Carr's route to a sterling fantasy day isn't a guarantee by any means.
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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.
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Saints' Derek Carr: Team not concerned about shoulder
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Saints head coach Dennis Allen said Carr's right shoulder "seems like it came out fine" after he was forced out of Sunday's 33-28 loss to the Lions, but the quarterback remains in the concussion protocol and still is being evaluated for a rib injury, John Hendrix of SI.com reports.
Though Carr is still far from optimal health, the fact that he's not dealing with any new injury to his shoulder is at least a bit of good news, considering that he had previously suffered an AC joint sprain to the shoulder back in late September. Carr didn't end up missing any game action due to that concern, but he may face an uphill battle not only to clear the five-step protocol but also to fully move past the rib issue ahead of the Saints' Week 14 matchup with the Panthers this coming Sunday. He's in the concussion protocol for the second time this season, after previously suffering a head injury in a Nov. 12 loss to the Vikings in Week 10 before clearing the protocol after the Saints' Week 11 bye. Jameis Winston finished the loss to the Lions as the primary option at quarterback and would likely start Week 14 if Carr isn't able to go, while jack-of-all-trades Taysom Hill presumably would be in store for at least a handful of snaps under center, too.
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Saints' Derek Carr: In concussion protocol
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The Saints have placed Carr in the concussion protocol following Sunday's 33-28 loss to the Lions, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Carr was carted off the field during Sunday's loss, and in addition to sustaining a concussion he was evaluated for back and shoulder injuries. This is his second time in the concussion protocol in a three-game span, a fact that casts significant doubt on his chances of returning to the lineup in time to take on the Panthers in Week 14. Jameis Winston would be in line to start for New Orleans if Carr misses time.
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Saints' Derek Carr: Getting concussion check
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Carr exited Sunday's game versus the Lions to be evaluated for a concussion in addition to shoulder and back injuries.
Carr remained on the turf in visible discomfort after taking a big hit from Detroit pass rusher Bruce Irvin in the fourth quarter and needed a cart to get to the locker room. If Carr is diagnosed with a concussion, it'll mark his second one in a three-game span and could threaten his availability for a Week 14 matchup with the Panthers. Jameis Winston took over for Carr under center for the Saints.
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Saints' Derek Carr: Makes early departure Sunday
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Carr (undisclosed) was carted off the field during Sunday's game against the Lions, Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.
Carr was on the receiving end of a huge hit from Lions pass rusher Bruce Irvin early in the fourth quarter. He was in clear pain on the turf after the play and was replaced by backup quarterback Jameis Winston. At the time of his departure, Carr had completed 17 of 22 passes for 226 yards, one touchdown and one interception, recorded two carries for minus-1 yard and lost a fumble.
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Saints' Derek Carr: Eclipses 300-yard mark in loss
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Carr completed 24 of 38 passes for 304 yards with no touchdowns and one interception while adding two rushes for seven yards in the Saints' 24-15 loss to the Falcons on Sunday. He also committed a fumble recovered by New Orleans.
Carr put together another impressive yardage total -- his fifth 300-yard tally of the campaign -- and showed no apparent ill effects from his Week 10 concussion. However, Carr was already operating without Michael Thomas (IR-knee), and he then lost Chris Olave to a concussion as well while the second-year receiver was in the midst of what was potentially set to be a career-best performance. The in-game loss of Rashid Shaheed (thigh) was yet another obstacle in Carr's path, so it's difficult to fault the veteran signal-caller much for New Orleans' defeat and only his second touchdown-less effort in a non-injury-shortened game. Carr and the Saints will aim to regroup at the expense of the Lions in a Week 13 home matchup, but he faces the prospect of having to play that game with a significantly depleted receiving corps.
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Saints' Derek Carr: Comes off injury report
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The Saints removed Carr (concussion) from the Week 12 injury report Thursday, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.
With the benefit of a Week 11 bye, Carr won't miss any time due to the concussion that he sustained during a Week 10 loss at Minnesota. He will be working without Michael Thomas (knee) for at least the next four games after the wide receiver was placed on injured reserve Tuesday. Having said that, Carr has a decent matchup on tap Sunday against a Falcons defense that has allowed the third-most combined touchdowns (21) to opposing quarterbacks this season.
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Saints' Derek Carr: Closing in on return
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Saints head coach Dennis Allen said Carr practiced fully Wednesday, but the quarterback still needs to be cleared by an independent neurologist before being removed from concussion protocol, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.
Carr made an early departure from the Saints' last game in Week 10 at Minnesota due to a right shoulder injury and concussion. While his shoulder checked out OK after the game, he entered the five-step concussion protocol. With the benefit of a Week 11 bye, Carr has made progress through the protocol and appears on the doorstep of clearing the fifth and final phase. He'll have three more days to do so ahead of Sunday's contest in Atlanta.
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Saints' Derek Carr: Adds/Streamers (QB Preview)
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If Carr clears the concussion protocol he may just be the best streaming option this week. The Falcons have allowed 22 or more Fantasy points to four of the last five QBs they have faced and Carr had 300 yards passing or two touchdowns in five straight starts before his injury.
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Saints' Derek Carr: Following concussion protocol
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Saints head coach Dennis Allen said Monday that Carr (shoulder) remains in concussion protocol, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.
Following a Week 11 bye, Carr apparently isn't yet in the clear on the health front after he exited the Saints' Week 10 loss to the Vikings with a right shoulder injury and to undergo a concussion evaluation. Last Monday, Allen told Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com that Carr's shoulder checked out fine after testing, but the fact that the quarterback is in the protocol more than a week later suggests he likely suffered a concussion prior to leaving the loss to Minnesota. Allen didn't specify where exactly Carr stands in the five-step protocol, so it's possible that the veteran signal-caller has already passed some of the steps. Carr thus looks like he'll still have a chance to start Sunday's game against the Falcons, though he may need to put in at least one full practice this week and gain clearance from an independent neurologist before the Saints sign off on him playing.
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Saints' Derek Carr: Shoulder checks out OK
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Speaking with the media Monday, coach Dennis Allen said Carr's right shoulder is fine after further testing, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.
Carr took a big hit from both sides of his body during Sunday's Week 10 loss to the Vikings and had to leave the game early with shoulder and concussion issues. He appears to have avoided anything serious with the shoulder and will have a Week 11 bye to rest up ahead of a divisional date with the Falcons on Sunday, Nov. 26. Carr said he hopes to play versus Atlanta, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
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Saints' Derek Carr: Hoping to play after bye
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Carr (shoulder/concussion) is hoping to return in Week 12 against the Falcons, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Carr will likely have to clear the NFL's concussion protocol in addition to recovering from a shoulder injury in order to return to the field, but he's hoping New Orleans' well-timed Week 11 bye will provide enough recovery time for the quarterback to avoid missing further game action. He was replaced by Jameis Winston after exiting Sunday's 27-19 loss to the Vikings. Following the loss, coach Dennis Allen said Carr will remain the team's starting quarterback once healthy, per Rod Walker of The Times-Picayune.
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Saints' Derek Carr: Done for day with shoulder injury
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The Saints have ruled Carr out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the Vikings after he exited in the third quarter with a right shoulder injury, John DeShazier of the Saints' official site reports. He was also evaluated for a concussion.
Carr carried once for 10 yards and completed 13 of 18 pass attempts for 110 yards before leaving the game midway through the third quarter, when he took a hard hit from a Minnesota defender on a 15-yard pass to Chris Olave. The signal-caller was able to walk off the field under his own power, but he was carted to the locker room and ruled out for the game soon thereafter. Jameis Winston came on in relief of Carr and will step in as the Saints' quarterback for the rest of the day. Carr, meanwhile, will turn his focus toward getting healthy in advance of the Saints' next game Nov. 26 against the Falcons, with the team's Week 11 bye coming at a convenient time. Given that Carr previously suffered an AC joint sprain to his throwing shoulder Week 3 against the Packers, overcoming the new shoulder injury may prove to be more difficult than clearing the concussion protocol.
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Saints' Derek Carr: Throws two TDs in Week 9 win
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Carr completed 25 of 34 passes for 211 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 24-17 win over the Bears. He added three rushing attempts for three yards.
Carr threw an eight-yard touchdown pass to Chris Olave in the first quarter and added a two-yard touchdown pass to Taysom Hill in the second. The Saints got another passing touchdown to take a 24-17 lead in the fourth quarter, but that one was thrown by Hill. This game snapped a streak of three consecutive 300-yard passing performances from Carr, but Carr has yet to throw more than two touchdowns in a game this season, and he continues to cede a significant portion of goal-line looks under center to Hill, who offers a mix of power running and passing ability. Carr will bring a 10:4 TD:INT into a Week 10 road game in Minnesota.
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Saints' Derek Carr: Tosses two touchdowns in win
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Carr completed 19 of 27 passes for 310 yards and two touchdowns during Sunday's 38-27 win over the Colts.
Carr and the Saints offense fell back into a rhythm after he logged 50-plus passing attempts in back-to-back games. The 32-year-old's first touchdown was an 18-yard score that came on a short pass to running back Alvin Kamara; but, Carr also logged his longest touchdown pass of the season when he hit wideout Rashid Shaheed in stride for a 58-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Carr also eclipsed the 300-yard mark for the third game in a row, though he averaged significantly more yards per attempt (11.5) compared to the previous two outings. The veteran signal-caller coughed up just his sixth turnover of the season when he was strip-sacked early in the first quarter, and he's yet to commit multiple turnovers in any game so far this season. Carr and the Saints offense will look to put together another explosive outing versus the Bears in a Week 9 matchup.
