Rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler is poised to make his fourth NFL start for the New Orleans Saints on Monday night against Green Bay, pending the status of starter Derek Carr.
Carr still hasn't practiced since suffering a concussion and left (non-throwing) hand injury in the game against the Giants on Dec. 8. Technically, because he hasn't practiced, he officially has not cleared the concussion protocol.
When that formality is accomplished and Carr is deemed capable of protecting himself and operating the offense, he'll return to the starting lineup. But if that doesn't happen this week, Rattler will start for the Saints (5-9) when they face the Packers (10-4) at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
Rattler played the second half of the Saints' 20-19 loss to Washington on Sunday and led the Saints to scores on each of their four second-half possessions – touchdown, field goal, field goal and touchdown – while completing 10 of 21 passes for 135 yards and a touchdown, with no interceptions.
"He gave us a spark this week in the second half, had a real good practice today so that's where we are with him," Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi said Thursday.
Rattler previously started three games when Carr was injured earlier this season and completed 59 of 99 passes for 571 yards and a touchdown, with two interceptions in three losses. He was sacked 14 times.
Against Washington, he helped rally the Saints from a 17-0 deficit in the third quarter.
"I think he learned a lot of things," Rizzi said of Rattler's first three starts. "The thing that probably impressed me the most was probably that two-minute drill (at the end of the fourth quarter). I really liked how he – under the pressure – he performed and I didn't see a sense of panic at all.
"I thought the last three games he was out there, like any rookie quarterback, sometimes he looked a little panicky. I saw him much more relaxed, I saw him much more in control, I saw a lot more leadership out of him. That was the impressive part.
"Maybe coming off the bench with nothing to lose, kind of just running around and gunslinging, but that's kind of been his thing. That's what's made him the guy that he is, it's kind of been his M.O. his whole career. So hopefully now he knows, he's preparing today so he took all the reps with the 1s and we're going to get him ready to go out there."
Carr's status will continue to be evaluated this week; if he can practice, he has the chance to play.
"I have had multiple conversations with Derek," Rizzi said. "Derek Carr wants to play this season. He wants to come back and play this season, there's zero doubt about that. He's doing everything he can from a rehab standpoint to get himself back on the field.
"I appreciate and respect the fact that he wants to come back and play, that's why this thing is day to day. We're not going to put him in harm's way. We're going to make sure that he's able to go out there and function; that's really what it comes down to right now.
"When he can fully function and go out there and function all the duties as a quarterback, he'll be back on the field. As soon as he's able to function, and as soon as he's able to go out there and get some functionality back in his hand, we'll do that."
INJURY REPORT: Running back Alvin Kamara (groin) and defensive end Chase Young (illness) did not practice Thursday. Kamara's injury appears to be more serious than originally believed, and he isn't expected to play Monday night.
"He's going to be week to week for the moment, it doesn't look great for this week," Rizzi said. "We'll see what the next day brings. We'll see if that's going to be multiple weeks."
OLAVE RETURNS: Receiver Chris Olave (head) practiced on a limited basis Thursday. Olave was placed on injured reserve after suffering a concussion against Atlanta on Nov. 11.
"We were able to open up Chris Olave's 21-day window today," Rizzi said. "He had some great news. He went for a re-check, and he was cleared for football activities. So I am super, super happy for Chris.
"It's great news for him. He was in practice today, he was limited. He had significant time off so we're going to kind of take it step by step with him."
