Saints starting QB Jake Haener in place of injured Derek Carr vs. Commanders

Jake Haener is the next man under center for the New Orleans Saints.

Haener will make his first NFL start on Sunday against the Washington Commanders, NFL Network Insider Mike Garafolo reported Thursday night.

Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football first reported the news.

Derek Carr is dealing with a left hand injury that will keep him out Sunday — and potentially the rest of the season — and Haener gets the nod over rookie Spencer Rattler.

Haener was the team’s backup when Carr missed time with an oblique injury earlier in the season. Although Haener came on in relief of Carr when he was injured in Week 5 against the Kansas City Chiefs, then-head coach Dennis Allen gave Rattler the subsequent start. Rattler went 0-3 as a starter.

This time, Haener has his chance to become QB1.

A 2023 NFL Draft fourth-round pick of the Saints, Haener has played in seven games this season, completing 14 of 29 passes (48.3%) for 177 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions.

Haener, who was diagnosed with skin cancer earlier this year but hasn’t missed a beat, will lead the host Saints (5-8) into action against the Commanders (8-5) at 1:00 PM ET Sunday.