New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr sustained a left hand injury during the team's 14-11 victory against the New York Giants. The incident occurred late in the fourth quarter when Carr attempted to leap over a Giants tackler to secure a first down. Unfortunately, he landed awkwardly on his non-throwing hand at the New Orleans 39-yard line, leading to the injury.
Following the play, Carr was down on the field for a brief period before being assisted to the medical tent for evaluation. Subsequently, he underwent X-rays to assess the extent of the injury. The Saints' interim coach praised Carr's effort on the play, highlighting his determination to make a crucial play in the game.
This injury comes after Carr had previously missed three games this season due to an oblique injury. The team's tight end, who scored a touchdown during the game, indicated that Carr might be sidelined for additional games due to the latest injury. Carr was not available for post-game interviews, but his teammates expressed support for him during this challenging time.
The injury to Carr could potentially impact the Saints' playoff aspirations, as they currently trail behind division rivals Tampa Bay and Atlanta in the NFC South standings. The team's coach was uncertain about whether Carr would need to enter the concussion protocol following the impact with the turf.
Despite the setback, Carr's teammates commended his leadership and dedication to the team. Carr's performance in the game included completing 20 of 31 passes for 219 yards, including an 11-yard touchdown pass. He also orchestrated a 98-yard scoring drive that contributed to the Saints' victory.
Following Carr's injury, backup quarterback Jake Haener took over but was unable to lead the team to additional points. The Giants had an opportunity to force overtime but fell short when a defensive play by the Saints prevented a game-tying field goal.
The Saints will now have to navigate the remainder of the season without Carr's on-field presence, posing a challenge to their postseason aspirations.
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