The Saints earned their first loss of the season Sunday against the Packers, which came in the wake of quarterback Derek Carr getting knocked from the game with a right shoulder injury.
Although Carr was eventually ruled out of the game and ultimately sent to a local hospital for further testing, New Orleans can breathe a sigh of relief.
Carr suffered an AC joint sprain in his right shoulder but has seemed to have avoided a more serious injury than originally expected, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per sources. Rapoport adds that after a multitude of tests, there was no additional damage found in Carr's throwing shoulder.
When Carr is able to play again will be determined by the swelling and how he gains mobility, according to Rapoport, and although he could still miss some time, it does not appear to be a season-ending scenario for the Saints' signal-caller
Carr was hurt on a third-quarter sack by linebacker Rashan Gary, where he was whipped to the ground and unable to shield himself while protecting the ball.
Slow to get up after the play, Carr was able to walk off the field and later went to the locker room following an evaluation in the medical tent. Jameis Winston took over under center for the Saints and remained there for the rest of the contest after New Orleans ruled Carr out.
The 10-year veteran underwent X-rays on his shoulder at the stadium before going to a local hospital to run additional tests, Rapoport reported, per sources. The hospital also checked for internal injuries, as well, per Rapoport.
Head coach Dennis Allen confirmed in his postgame news conference that Carr was taken to a Green Bay-area hospital for evaluation on his shoulder.
Carr was 13 of 18 for 103 yards and an 8-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jimmy Graham before exiting the game with New Orleans up, 17-0. The Saints would not score again, as the Packers took advantage of Carr's absence to put up 18 unanswered in the fourth quarter and steal a victory.
"I feel like we let one slip through our hands," Allen said about the defeat, which was sealed on a missed 46-yard kick by Blake Grupe with 1:10 remaining.
The Saints will nurse their wounds after letting one get away, but they'll do so with the an optimistic view with Carr avoiding a season-ending injury.
