Saints starting rookie Rattler for injured Carr vs. Bucs

New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen announced rookie Spencer Rattler as the starting quarterback for Sunday's contest against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

"Felt like this would be the right time for Spencer to get this opportunity," Allen said Wednesday, according to ESPN's Erin Summers.

The Saints' 2024 fifth-round pick will start in place of Derek Carr, who's reportedly set to miss multiple games due to an oblique injury. Carr exited in the fourth quarter of Monday's 26-13 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Allen described Carr's ailment as an oblique strain and gave his status as week-to-week, per Summers. The four-time Pro Bowler sustained an oblique tear that'll sideline him for a few weeks, reports NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo.

Rattler receives the starting nod over Jake Haener, who served as Carr's backup to begin the season. The Saints listed Rattler as the second-string quarterback alongside Haener, but he was inactive for their first five games after serving as the third-string passer.

The South Carolina product made a favorable impression by passing for 202 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions while posting a 52.6% completion rate in preseason action.

The Arizona native was rated as a five-star prospect out of high school when he committed to Oklahoma. He spent three seasons with the Sooners before transferring to South Carolina for his final two years of college eligibility. He passed for 3,186 yards, 19 TDs, and eight INTs last season. He also added four rushing scores.

Allen said that the Saints aren't planning on bringing in a veteran third quarterback, according to NewOrelans. Football's Mike Triplett.

New Orleans will play two games in five days. After Sunday's matchup against Tampa Bay, the Saints will host the Denver Broncos on Thursday Night Football to kick off Week 7.