Derek Carr, the New Orleans Saints’ new quarterback, was notably absent from the team’s final NFL preseason game against the Houston Texans at the Caesars Superdome, as confirmed by Saints head coach Dennis Allen.
The decision to sit Carr, despite his recent arrival to the organization, marks a somewhat surprising move as teams often use this last game as a "dress rehearsal" to give their starters additional playing time before the regular season kicks off.
Saints beat reporter Nick Underhill confirmed the news via Twitter, quoting Allen, who made it clear that Carr would not participate in the final game.
Allen’s decision comes despite the fact that Carr is still building chemistry with the Saints’ offense, and many expected him to take a few snaps for further adjustment.
Carr’s only preseason appearance was during the Saints’ first game against the Kansas City Chiefs. In that outing, Carr completed 6-of-8 passes, throwing for 70 yards and securing a touchdown,
demonstrating efficiency in limited action. However, those will be the only live reps Carr will see ahead of the regular season
While some fans may be concerned about the lack of playing time for Carr, the Saints’ coaching staff appears confident that he will be ready for the season opener
This strategic decision indicates they are prioritizing his health and the longer-term success of the team over additional preseason play.