New Orleans backup quarterbacks Jake Haenerand Spencer Rattler both took reps with the first-team offense Wednesday, and interim head coach Darren Rizzi said the team will name a starter later in the week for Sunday's game against Washington in the Caesars Superdome.
Rizzi did not completely rule out starter Derek Carr, who did not practice Wednesday and remains in concussion protocol while also dealing with a left-hand injury. The hand swelling has yet to subside enough for Carr to practice even if he weren't in protocol, but Rizzi reiterated that the injury will not require surgery and that Carr will not be placed on injured reserve.
The Saints (5-8) are looking to win for the fourth time in five games since Rizzi became interim coach, while Washington (8-5) broke a three-game losing streak before enjoying its bye week.
"With Derek not being out there, both those guys took reps in the team periods," Rizzi said of Haener and Rattler. "That'll probably be the same case (Thursday) and we're just going to evaluate that situation, and we're going to name a starter later in the week. We're going to see how that progression plays out, first with Derek and then with Jake and Spencer."
Rattler started three games this season when Carr was sidelined by an oblique injury; he completed 59 of 99 passes for 571 yards and a touchdown, with two interceptions. He was sacked 14 times and ran for 61 yards on nine carries.
Haener has been the No. 2 quarterback in every game this season – Rattler has been the emergency (third) quarterback except for the games he started – and has completed 14 of 29 passes for 177 yards and a touchdown, with no interceptions and three sacks, in seven appearances.
"Both Jake and Spencer bring certain attributes to the table," Rizzi said. "They're very similar in a lot of ways, so game plan-wise it doesn't change a whole bunch.
"So in fairness to the process, we're get another work day in (Thursday), maybe make the decision by Friday. We'll see where Derek's at but right now all options are still on the table."
New Orleans will likely take it to the end of the week before deciding on Carr, who has passed the first two steps of the concussion protocol. He suffered his third concussion in two seasons with the Saints and the hand injury is an addition to the AC joint and shoulder injuries he suffered last year.
"If Derek were to even have a chance, he'd obviously have to get into some walk throughs, things like that," Rizzi said. "I don't know if there's going to be a situation where he'd take a lot of full-speed reps. I don't see that, the way that the concussion protocol works out and the way we practice – that wouldn't happen.
"He'd have to get in there and get some walk through stuff, he wouldn't just show up on Sunday cold (and play). He'd have to go through some stuff. We'll see where he's at (Thursday), and then Friday and Saturday. By the end of the week if he's not able to get any reps in any form or fashion, then we'll go with one of the other guys.
"So far no setbacks (in concussion protocol for Carr). That part's been a positive. He completed the first step Tuesday, the second step today. There's a whole progression there but so far, so good. He hasn't had any setbacks."
As for Haener and Rattler, the competition that began last spring continues.
"I think since the day Spencer got here that him and Jake have been in a competition for the 2 and 3 spots," Rizzi said.
"They're both guys that throw the ball well, they're both similar-sized guys, their athletic ability is very similar. There'll be some nuances in the game plan depending on which guy starts. There's going to be things that some guys do better than others, that's always going to be the case no matter who the player is. But there's not going to be these wholesale (changes)."
