METAIRIE, La. — The New Orleans Saints have announced that rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler will start against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this Sunday, according to head coach Dennis Allen.
Rattler steps in for Derek Carr, who is sidelined with a strained oblique sustained during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Allen indicated that Carr’s recovery will be assessed on a “week-to-week” basis, but affirmed that Carr will regain his starting position once he is healthy.
“Overall, I think he’s doing OK, and yet I think he’s disappointed that he can’t be out here,” Allen stated about Carr. “He’s a player who doesn’t miss much time, so I believe he feels frustrated about that.”
The Saints are set to play two games within five days, facing Tampa Bay and then the Denver Broncos on October 17 for “Thursday Night Football.”
Rattler, a fifth-round draft pick out of South Carolina, was chosen as the starter over second-year player Jake Haener, though Allen did not elaborate on the reasons for this decision.
“We had a lot of internal discussions and felt like he would give us the best chance to win in this particular game,” Allen said. “Both he and Jake have been working hard in practice, preparing as if they were the starter. We initially decided Jake would be the No. 2, and it was meant to be a week-to-week competition. However, we felt Spencer was the best option for this game.”
Due to injuries, the Saints’ offensive line has seen significant changes. Currently, the team is without their starting center and right guard. Connor McGovern was brought in from the Jets’ practice squad to play center against the Chiefs, while Landon Young shifted from tackle to guard, and Lucas Patrick has filled roles at both positions.
Allen noted that Rattler’s mobility played a role in the decision, particularly given the offensive line’s current state.
“There were several factors at play, and we believe his mobility is an asset,” he said.
Discussing Rattler’s background, Allen highlighted that he has faced challenges during his time at Oklahoma and South Carolina, giving him valuable starting experience, even though he is yet to play in an NFL game.
“He’s been tested and has overcome obstacles,” Allen remarked. “We are excited to see him play, and it’s our responsibility as coaches to put him in a position to succeed.”
At the start of the season, both Rattler and Haener were designated as the No. 2 quarterbacks. Allen expressed his desire to maintain competition between them throughout the season. Rattler has been inactive for the first five games, while Haener has taken over for Carr during victories and in the loss to the Chiefs.
Allen mentioned that the decision for a starting quarterback was not finalized until this week.
“We were aware that we might need to make a decision if Derek missed time, but we only discussed it seriously after it became necessary,” Allen explained.
He also spoke on the importance of patience with Rattler, recognizing the challenges faced by rookie quarterbacks.
“We’re not going to approach this game with a mindset of punishing mistakes,” Allen said. “He’s going to start, lead the team, and from there, we’ll see how it unfolds.”
He concluded by emphasizing the need for Rattler to enjoy the experience rather than pressure himself too much. The Saints will work to prepare him adequately before he steps onto the field.
In the preseason, Rattler completed 20 of 38 passes for 202 yards, one touchdown, and recorded no interceptions while rushing seven times for 26 yards, albeit with one lost fumble.