Saints rookie Spencer Rattler made a strong case for the backup quarterback position behind veteran Derek Carr.
Receiver Samson Nacua also made an impressive special teams play that might boost his chances, but it ended in a way he’ll regret for a long time.
Rattler threw a touchdown pass and led four scoring drives that totaled 24 points in the 30-27 preseason loss to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.
“I feel like I’ve taken steps where I need to,” said Rattler, a fifth-round draft pick from South Carolina. “I work here, you know? I’m new. I’m a rookie. I’m just trying to get better, improve, and help the team.”
Titans backup quarterback Malik Willis threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes to Bryce Oliver. The second touchdown was on fourth-and-1 from the New Orleans 5-yard line with 1:25 remaining, helping the Titans (3-0) make a comeback.
“Malik showed really well for himself,” Titans coach Brian Callahan said. “He made some really big-time throws.”
Nacua — who is the brother of Rams receiver Puka Nacua — returned a missed field goal 106 yards before being pushed out of bounds at the Tennessee 3-yard line by Thomas Odukoya as time expired in the first half.
“Going sideways made it feel like an extra 60 yards because I got to the 50-yard line and I was like, ‘My legs are gone,’” Nacua said.
He added that family and friends are “probably going to tell me I am the slower brother and I’m going to be sick because I know I’m faster than Puka.”
Although the exciting return didn’t result in any points, it might help Nacua’s chances of making the final roster when teams need to cut down from 90 players to the regular season limit of 53 by Tuesday.
“That’s just part of the evaluation,” Saints coach Dennis Allen said. “There was a lot of smart football on that play and a competitive effort from the guys trying to score. It was definitely an exciting play.”
Tennessee started the scoring with its first-string offense against the Saints’ backups. Will Levis completed 22-yard passes to tight end Nick Vannett and receiver Tyler Boyd before Tony Pollard scored a 1-yard touchdown run to make it 7-0.
“We were clean with our operation from top to bottom,” Levis said. “I was proud of how the guys played, and it was great to see some players step up and make plays.”
Levis had a 33-yard completion to Calvin Ridley on the second series, setting up Nick Folk’s 39-yard field goal.
The Saints (1-2) had few starters in the game, except for offensive tackles Taliese Fuaga and Trevor Penning.
Rattler, who completed 7 of 13 passes for 105 yards, threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to Equanimeous St. Brown in the second quarter. This capped a 70-yard drive on Rattler’s first series after replacing fellow backup QB Jake Haener.
Rattler also led the Saints 34 yards in the last two minutes of the first half, setting up Blake Grupe’s 54-yard field goal. His fourth-quarter drives ended with touchdown runs of 11 and 2 yards by undrafted rookie and Louisiana native Jacob Kibodi.
Haener, a second-year player competing for the backup spot, started the game against Titans’ defensive starters. When he came back in the third quarter, he led the Saints to a field goal but was later sacked and lost 20 yards on a drive-stalling play.
Haener also played during the Saints’ final offensive series, which ended as time expired.
