Due to Derek Carr’s expected absence for several games, the New Orleans Saints will give a chance to a rookie quarterback.

On Wednesday, head coach Dennis Allen confirmed that Spencer Rattler will make his debut as a starter this Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“We’ve had extensive discussions as a staff about the best approach for us and what gives us the highest chance of winning,” Allen shared with the media. “That led us to this decision, and we’re eager to see what he can do on the field.”

Carr sustained an oblique injury during the fourth quarter of Monday night’s game, resulting in a 26-13 defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs. He was replaced by second-year quarterback Jake Haener for the rest of the match. Reports from NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport indicate that Carr is likely to be sidelined for multiple games during his recovery.

Key Facts About Spencer Rattler

Selected in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL draft, Rattler gained fame from the Netflix docuseries “QB1: Beyond the Lights” during his senior year in high school in Arizona. A sought-after recruit, he signed with the Oklahoma Sooners and spent his freshman year as a backup to Jalen Hurts.

In 2020, Rattler became the starting quarterback and, despite a few challenges, led the Sooners to a Big 12 championship and a Cotton Bowl victory. However, during the following season, he faced struggles early on and was infamously benched during the Red River Rivalry against Texas in favor of freshman Caleb Williams, who later secured a comeback win. Subsequently, Rattler transferred to South Carolina after the season.

In 2022, Rattler earned the starting position for the Gamecocks. He began the season well and culminated with notable victories over Tennessee and Clemson, advancing to the Gator Bowl. The following season, South Carolina ended with a 5-7 record, but Rattler had a standout year, throwing for a career-high 3,186 yards and setting school records for completions and completion percentage in a single season.

Rattler was drafted by New Orleans as the 150th overall pick and competed fiercely for the backup spot against Haener after showcasing impressive performances in preseason.

This upcoming Sunday will mark Rattler’s first appearance in the regular season. He will also be the fifth rookie quarterback to make a start this season, joining Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and Bo Nix. Additionally, Drake Maye was named a starter this week for the New England Patriots.