The New Orleans Saints are in the middle of a three-game losing streak and have an abnormal number of injuries following a 26-13 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. The injury to starting quarterback Derek Carr looms large, with two games in five days and up next on the schedule. Who will be the “next man up?”
New Orleans Picks The Rookie As “Next Man Up” At Quarterback
Despite their recent setbacks, the Saints are determined to overcome their challenges. Their Week 5 loss was a stark contrast to their dominant Week 2 win over Dallas, where the offense seemed unstoppable. While it was unrealistic to expect the offense to sustain over 40 points per game, they have only 49 combined points in the last three games.
Injuries have also piled up after each loss, further complicating their situation. Starting center Eric McCoy and linebacker Demario Davis were hurt in the loss to Philadelphia. Taysom Hill went down after the Atlanta game. Carr was injured in the Monday Night Football loss to Kansas City most recently.
With all the injuries and losses piling up, the Saints are turning to their rookie 5th-round pick to provide a spark. Here are three players who must step up in rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler’s debut.
Wide Receiver One
Chris Olave is the bonafide number one option for the Saints passing game. He has lived up to his 11th overall draft status by leading the team in targets, catches and yards each of the past two seasons. His 2024 season has been somewhat inconsistent, with only 22 catches, 275 yards and one touchdown.
Olave has had two games this year with two catches and less than 12 yards. Yet, he has been explosive and a capable blocker in the run game. In Rattler’s first start, Olave must step up and be his security blanket.
Tampa Bay currently leads the NFL in blitz rate at 54.4%. Olave will have a massive game against the Tampa Bay defense that ranks #31 in yards per game.
Another New Center
On October 4, the Saints signed center Connor McGovern off of the New York Jets practice squad. He is a seasoned veteran with 91 career starts between the Jets and the Denver Broncos. McGovern brings over 5,000 career snaps at center, with extensive experience in zone running systems.
His familiarity with offensive line coach John Benton from their time together with the Jets is also a plus, making his transition smoother. McGovern’s athleticism and ability to handle wide zone plays will help stabilize the Saints’ injury-depleted line. However, expecting him to fully replace Erik McCoy’s high level of performance might be unrealistic.
Nonetheless, McGovern’s versatility and experience provide much-needed depth for the Saints. With many injuries along the offensive line, McGovern’s experience will be crucial in Rattler’s first start.
Running Back Stability
Running back Alvin Kamara is a unicorn on the gridiron. The 29-year-old has been an absolute workhorse this season, averaging nearly 23 touches per game despite dealing with different injuries. He is the heartbeat of the offense and crucial to the team’s success.
The Saints have not received any help in the run game from veteran Jamaal Williams, who is averaging nearly six touches per game. Kamara will continue to step up and shine to relieve the pressure off of Rattler. Williams and the rest of the running back room must step up and remove some touches from Kamara’s plate. The running game will be vital to keeping the defense honest and allowing Rattler to get into a rhythm.
Main Photo Courtesy of Stephen Lew – USA TODAY Sports
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