Derek Carr’s Injury Play: A question of selfish ambition over team safety

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports.

Derek Carr’s unwavering commitment to play through an array of injuries, including multiple concussions and shoulder issues, is commendable for demonstrating grit. Yet, this raises a crucial question: At what point does his persistence in playing through pain become a liability for the New Orleans Saints? Carr, formerly of the Raiders, has had to exit three games this season due to injuries, with the latest reports indicating he is grappling with three fractured ribs. These injuries have undeniably impacted his effectiveness as the leader of the Saints’ offense.

Something that I find interesting is that league officials did not raise concerns when Carr cleared concussion protocol, which allowed him to play in Week 14 against the Carolina Panthers. Before the Panthers matchup, Carr suffered a concussion after being slammed to the turf by former Raiders teammate Bruce Irvin of the Detroit Lions. Carr was also concussed in the Week 12 contest with the Minnesota Vikings two weeks before facing Detroit. The multiple injuries have significantly impacted his ability to effectively run the Saints’ offense.

In Week 14, the Saints were playing against a Panthers team that needed the right coaching staff around their first-round pick, Bryce Young, to be successful. They’ve only recorded one victory on the season and 12 losses before playing New Orleans. Carolina remained competitive with New Orleans until the game reached the fourth quarter, in which the result was a 28-6 victory for the Saints. The final score can be deceptive, but when you view the statistics, it was the Saints’ worst performance of the 2023 campaign.

Before the fourth quarter commenced, Carr had only thrown for 37 yards. He would close out the game with 119 passing yards and two touchdowns. If we are being honest, the game should have been over, at least by the second quarter. Carolina had no business hanging around for three quarters with a Saints squad with superior talent. And that’s without gadget player Taysom Hill, Rashid Shaheed, and a less than 100 percent Chris Olave.

But this brings us back to why the offense has looked so dismal with Carr as the starting quarterback. We are heading into Week 15, and Carr has struggled to produce in a system that would put significant stress on a defense when Sean Payton was the head coach. Understandably, the Saints are committed to their investment in Carr because the guaranteed salary is locked in for 2023 and 2024, but at what point do you start to have common sense of what is transpiring on the field?

Because there’s no way that a veteran quarterback of his stature could look so inept while performing. The coaching staff needs to reevaluate Carr’s recent production and determine if it’s best to continue to be the team’s starter while dealing with multiple injuries. Without doing so, it could lead to New Orleans not winning the league’s most winnable division for the second straight year.

Also, you have to wonder if head coach Dennis Allen is worried that the offense may look more fluid with backup Jameis Winston under center compared to what we have with Carr. But he really shouldn’t, if we’re being honest. Last season, Allen let it be known how he viewed Winston as a long-term option at QB for New Orleans. He only circled back to him after Deshaun Watson decided to waive his no-trade clause to join the Cleveland Browns. At the time, the Saints were all in on surrendering significant assets in return for the former Houston Texan QB.

As for the present situation, starting Winston should not affect either Allen’s or Carr’s pride. Carr has guaranteed money that ties him to New Orleans this season and 2024. The coaching staff will not consider having a quarterback competition between the two going into 2024. Allowing Winston to start for the time being will be an opportunity to showcase his skills so that another team can consider having his services.

Continuing with an injured Carr at quarterback as the Saints grapple with their playoff aspirations becomes increasingly critical. The team stands at a crossroads where the choice of quarterback could very well determine their fate in a tightly contested division. It’s a decision that needs careful consideration of the financial implications and the immediate and long-term impacts on the team’s success.

Whether Carr’s determination to play through pain is admirable or detrimental remains a pivotal question for the Saints as they navigate the remainder of the season. New Orleans is in a three-way tie to control the NFC South with the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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