He’s still listed as questionable for Sunday’s game with the Carolina Panthers, but New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr has cleared concussion protocol and is expected to start against Carolina. NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill first reported news of Carr passing protocol, which was confirmed by ESPN’s Katherine Terrell.
Carr is also dealing with an injured rib and right shoulder — having suffered an AC joint sprain earlier this year — but by all accounts the Saints plan on having him out there. This comes in the wake of his second concussion in three weeks.
Should Carr be playing, even if doctors (including an independent specialist) have given him the green light? That’s debatable. These brain injuries can’t be underestimated and suffering two of them so close together could have long-term impacts. The Saints re-signed Jameis Winston and drafted Jake Haener for situations like this, and they should be able to take care of business against the one-win Panthers with a backup quarterback. But Carr is determined to play and the Saints aren’t going to stop him.
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