New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr hurt his left hand late in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 14-11 win over the New York Giants. The injury happened when he jumped to try for a first down and landed hard on the ground.
Carr tried to jump over a Giants player and landed at the New Orleans 39-yard line, stretching his non-throwing hand to catch his fall. He stayed on the field for a minute or two before walking to the medical tent. After being examined, he slowly walked to an area for X-rays.
“Phenomenal effort trying to make a first down,” said interim coach Darren Rizzi about the play that took place with the Saints leading 14-11 and just under four minutes left.
Carr had missed three games earlier this season due to an oblique injury. Tight end Juwan Johnson, who caught a touchdown pass on Sunday, said Carr may miss more time. Carr did not speak to reporters after the game.
“He’s just been having a rough go. We’re behind him,” said Johnson. “He’s still Derek Carr, aside from the football field. You just have to be there for him, emotionally, spiritually and physically.”
The injury could harm the Saints’ slim playoff chances, as they are two games behind Tampa Bay and one game behind Atlanta in the NFC South.
When asked if Carr would enter the concussion protocol after his hard fall, Coach Rizzi couldn’t confirm that.
Johnson shared that Carr had told his teammates before the injury that it was time to give everything.
“And that’s the true example of laying it on the line. The dude just cares about his team a lot,” Johnson said.
Carr finished 20 of 31 for 219 yards, including an 11-yard touchdown pass to Johnson in the third quarter. He also led a 98-yard drive that Kendre Miller finished with a 6-yard run in the first quarter. The Saints won their third game in four with Rizzi as interim coach, who took over last month after Dennis Allen was fired.
Jake Haener replaced Carr and handed off to Miller, but Miller was stopped on a third-and-1 play by Giants linebacker Micah McFadden. The Saints then punted.
After an interception by Demario Davis of the Saints, Haener went three-and-out on the next drive. The Giants got the ball back with 1:21 left and nearly forced overtime.
New York drove to the Saints’ 12-yard line, and defensive tackle Bryan Bresee got a finger on Graham Gano’s game-tying 35-yard field goal attempt.
