Was Spencer Rattler on the bench against the Broncos? Why the Saints ended their overwhelming defeat with Jake Haener under center

The longer Derek Carr is out with his oblique injury, the longer the Saints will have a quarterback problem – no matter who is under center.

Carr isn't the only quarterback dealing with an injury. In the past, when their starting quarterback was injured, New Orleans relied on the versatile Taysom Hill in some unique formations and packages. However, Hill is dealing with a rib injury and missed the last two games.

Spencer Rattler was given the starting job in place of Carr, Hill and Week 1 backup Jake Haener in Week 6 against the Buccaneers in a 51-27 loss. Since Carr and Hill were out again against Denver, Rattler was given the starting role. However, when the game ended, Haener was under center.

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Was Spencer Rattler on the bench against the Broncos?

Rattler was sacked six times in the 33-10 loss to the Broncos and completed 25 of 35 passes for 172 yards. He also had five carries for 34 yards. Rattler didn't have a bad game considering he was missing his top two wide receivers, Chris Olave (concussion) and Rashid Shaheed (knee).

Still, he failed to get New Orleans into the end zone and suffered a serious blow late in the fourth quarter. Rattler was slow to recover after fumbling the ball, which was returned for a touchdown. When the Saints got the ball back there were four minutes left to play. Rattler was on the ball with the offense until the two-minute warning.

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On the other side of the two-minute warning, it was Haener who took over under center. He and New Orleans were on the Denver 48. It took three plays and Haener connected with Cedrick Wilson Jr. on a 12-yard touchdown.

Carr is expected to be sidelined again next week when the Saints face the Chargers. Rattler's move to the bench at the end of the game should save him, given all the other injuries New Orleans is dealing with.

Spencer Rattler had a “hip pointer” and was therefore taken off with two minutes left. I didn't want to risk letting the game get out of control.

— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) October 18, 2024

Still, the Saints could have some quarterback competition on their hands, as Haener looked solid, even if it was quite a stretch in a tough loss.

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Spencer Rattler’s “interception,” explained

In the first half, Rattler fumbled the snap, ran into his own lineman and then fumbled the ball while being tackled. It was returned for a touchdown but called back because a Denver defender was offside.

this is a masterpiece. pic.twitter.com/VX7rH7T4eT

— Annie Agar (@AnnieAgar) October 18, 2024

A similar situation occurred in the second half. Rattler begins to scramble to the right, but a speed camera comes at him from his blind side. He goes to throw it, but it gets knocked out of his hands and lands straight into Cody Barton's arms, who returns it for a touchdown.

Spencer Rattler is unsettled right now 😬

pic.twitter.com/HgrHhIcjcq

– NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats) October 18, 2024

It looks like it was an interception, but upon review it was determined that his arm had not yet come forward and the ball was stripped. Even if it didn't hit the ground, it's technically a fumble.