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The New Orleans Saints could use some bailing out after six straight losses, but quarterback Derek Carr said that’s not his job as he prepares to return from his own three-game absence due to an oblique injury.
“I’m not a savior,” he said Wednesday ahead of Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers, according to ESPN’s Katherine Terrell. “There’s only been one and it’s not me. I’m here to be a great leader and a great teammate and to do my job to the best of my ability. And do I have confidence in what I can do? Absolute.
“I’m confident in what I can do. I’m confident in what I can bring to our team. And that’s exciting, right? But to save us or anything like that, I’m not, I’m going to come in and do it .” what my boys expect from me. Bringing the energy, putting in the effort, being a great teammate, encouraging our guys, getting everyone on the same page, nailing the details, holding each other accountable.
Carr left the team’s Week 5 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, then missed losses to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers.
New Orleans’ 2-0 start seems like a very different season at this point, as the offense managed a total of three touchdowns in the three games the quarterback missed. What once looked like a potential NFC South playoff contender is now a team just one game ahead of the 1-7 Panthers.
A head-to-head loss to Carolina would pretty much spell the end of all hope for the rest of the 2024 season.
The four-time Pro Bowler may not be a savior, but his return is a welcome step in the right direction for a team that desperately needs to take one. He completed 70.3 percent of his passes for 989 yards, eight touchdowns and four interceptions prior to his injury and will look to return to form.
Playing for the Panthers should help him with that, as he went 19 of 23 for 200 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions in the season-opening win over Carolina.
This could be a good thing for the Saints as they play the Panthers, Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Rams and New York Giants in their next five games. The Falcons are the only team from that group that does not have a losing record.
Carr could time his return just right if New Orleans turns things around this season.