Derek Carr hasn’t missed a start this season but has been banged up. The New Orleans Saints quarterback appeared to get injured again in Week 10 after taking a brutal hit against the Minnesota Vikings. Here’s the latest on Carr.
Derek Carr Injury Update
Carr was slammed to the ground by Vikings pass rusher Danielle Hunter after completing a pass to receiver Chris Olave midway through the third quarter.
Carr stayed down on the field for quite a while before leaving the field under his own power. He spent time in the blue medical tent on the Saints’ sideline but was eventually carted to the locker room.
#Saints QB Derek Carr went to the medical tent after taking a big hit on this play.
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) November 12, 2023
The Saints ruled Carr out for the rest of the game near the start of the fourth quarter. Carr is dealing with an injury to the same shoulder he hurt earlier this year and also has a concussion.
Fortunately, Carr is expected to be available when New Orleans returns from its Week 11 bye, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
MORE: Michael Thomas Injury Update
Carr suffered an AC joint injury to his right throwing shoulder in Week 3 and missed the remainder of that game. He returned for Week 4 and has been in the Saints’ lineup ever since, and Carr is not believed to have severely re-injured his shoulder on Sunday, according to Pro Football Talk.
Carr had completed 13 of 18 attempts for 110 scoreless yards before departing.
Jameis Winston relieved Carr and completed his first three passes, hitting Olave for a 14-yard touchdown (and ensuing two-point conversion) that brought the Saints to within two scores.
Fantasy Fallout From Carr’s Injury
Alvin Kamara’s role can only decline with a different scheme, but his usage is unlikely to disappear, and he remains a lineup lock with or without Carr.
Without Carr, the Saints’ pass-catching nucleus carries more risk — but also more reward — due to how Winston tends to play. With the offense moving to a more vertical approach with Winston under center, Olave and Rashid Shaheed both stand to gain value.
Olave has been unable to get on track after a strong rookie season, and while his floor would continue to be concerning, he’d have access to a ceiling that we’ve yet to see in 2023 (just take a look at his pretty toe-tap TD today).
Shaheed’s skill set is that of a boom/bust fantasy option, but his involvement should improve, and volume is all you can ask for with a player like this. He would move into the weekly Flex discussion with Winston under center.
— PFN Fantasy Analyst Kyle Soppe