Saints to start Spencer Rattler at QB vs. Packers on Monday Night Football

The Saints are giving their rookie some run to see what they've got before the season's end.

New Orleans will hand the reins to first-year quarterback Spencer Rattler ahead of the Monday Night Football game against the Green Bay Packers in Week 16, the team announced Thursday.

The move comes out of necessity, as everyday starter Derek Carr is unlikely to return this season after suffering a fractured hand in the team's Week 14 win over the New York Giants.

Carr's injury occurred when he tried to leap over a New York Giants tackler and landed at the New Orleans 39-yard line, extending his non-throwing hand to break his fall. He was on the turf for a minute or two before walking to the medical tent.

Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi also told reporters that five-time Pro Bowl running back Alvin Kamara is unlikely to play against the Packers with a groin injury.

Rattler, 24, has made four appearances for the Saints this season, starting in three, and has thrown for 706 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He has also picked up 61 yards on the ground.

New Orleans lost all three of his starts, which came when Carr suffered an oblique injury in Week 5 against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Phoenix, Ariz., native was selected by the Saints in the fifth round (150th overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft out of South Carolina. He threw for 3186 yards with 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions in his senior season with the Gamecocks.

Rattler is a former five-star recruit who began his collegiate career at Oklahoma. He left the Sooners, transferring to South Carolina, after being replaced as the starter by current Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams.

The Saints are currently 5-9 and are in third place in the NFC South.