Derek Carr, the New Orleans Saints’ quarterback, suffered an oblique injury during the team’s 26-13 defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday night. The injury occurred late in the game while Carr attempted an incomplete pass. Although Carr initially believed the injury happened during that play, he needed additional testing to confirm the diagnosis. An MRI taken the following day confirmed it was an oblique issue, but there’s no clear timeline for how long he will be sidelined.
Oblique injuries typically result in multi-week recoveries, which is worrying for the Saints given their upcoming schedule. The team will play two games in quick succession: one against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday and another against the Denver Broncos on Thursday, October 17. In Carr’s absence, either rookie Spencer Rattler or Jake Haener would step in as the starting quarterback, with Haener having already replaced Carr in the Chiefs game.
The severity of an oblique injury for a quarterback is heightened because much of a quarterback’s throwing power comes from the core muscles, not just the arm. Carr himself mentioned that he didn’t leave the game due to pain but because his injury affected his ability to perform effectively. He stated that his throwing mechanics were compromised, which prevented him from executing plays the way he normally would.
Looking back at history, this kind of injury can take a significant toll on a quarterback’s performance. In 2014, former Saints quarterback Drew Brees dealt with a left oblique strain and ended up missing two weeks of training camp. Despite returning to the field relatively quickly, Brees admitted that the injury impacted his mechanics, causing bad habits throughout the season. This raises concerns that Carr might face similar struggles if he rushes back before fully healing.
This isn’t the first time Carr has had to battle through injuries while with the Saints. Last season, he dealt with a shoulder sprain in Week 3, as well as two concussions, but was able to play through them without missing significant game time. This season, he’s already been listed with a groin injury in Week 4. With the Saints now potentially facing another extended absence from Carr, the team’s depth at quarterback could be tested once again as they navigate through the season.
