Is Derek Carr playing today vs Commanders? Exploring Saints QB's status for Week 15

The five-win New Orleans Saints are still very much at the lower end of the middle of the pack in the NFL. Having fired head coach Dennis Allen in the middle of the season, the Saints will look to end the season with a look at their quarterback room heading into a pivotal 2025. They will face the Washington Commanders this afternoon but one man who will not line up under center is Derek Carr, who is essentially out for a few more weeks.

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Why is Derek Carr not playing today vs Commanders?

Derek Carr is officially listed as doubtful on the Saints' final injury report but all signs point towards him missing this Week 15 game.

Carr suffered a fractur to his non-throwing hand in the Week 14 win over the New York Giants. Carr is nursing that injury at the moment and is also dealing with a concussion, which means Week 15's showdown with Washington will come too soon for the Saints' QB1.

In Carr's absence, Jake Haener will take his place under center.

"Derek has been awesome this week," Haener said to the press. "Super supportive. He has been watching film with me every morning just giving his sense on what the Commanders do and how they present a challenge. He gave us 10 tickets to his box. I can’t thank him enough."

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Washington Commanders vs New Orleans Saints injury report

WR Noah Brown is officially out of Week 15 with a kidney issue. He racked up DNPs all week and will not participate against New Orleans. Tight end Zach Ertz popped up on the injury report but should be good to go. Marshon Lattimore has been nursing a hamstring injury but he is expected to make his Commanders debut against his former team this afternoon.

For the Saints, linebacker D'Marco Jackson is out with an ankle injury. Alvin Kamara was on the injury report but he is expected to suit up.

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