Jake Haener will take the helm as the Saints’ starting QB this week due to Derek Carr’s injury, marking his first regular-season start.
New Orleans: The Saints are making a change at quarterback. Jake Haener will step in for Sunday’s game against the Commanders. This news comes from Nick Underhill at NewOrleans.Football.
Interim coach Darren Rizzi broke the news to the quarterbacks on Thursday. It’s a big moment for Haener, especially since starter Derek Carr is dealing with a left hand injury that might sideline him for the rest of the season.
Earlier this season, when Carr had an oblique issue, the Saints went with rookie Spencer Rattler instead of Haener. Rattler struggled, going 0-3 as a starter under the previous coach, Dennis Allen.
Haener, who was picked in the fourth round by the Saints in 2023, hasn’t started a regular-season game yet. He’s played in seven games this season, completing 14 of 29 passes for 177 yards, with one touchdown and no interceptions.
For this game, Rattler will back up Haener, and Ben DiNucci has joined the practice squad after signing this week. It’s going to be an interesting matchup!