Jul 30, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA;  New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler (2) looks on during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Saints QB Spencer Rattler to start preseason opener

Second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler will start for the New Orleans Saints in Sunday’s preseason opener against the host Los Angeles Chargers.

Head coach Kellen Moore confirmed the news following Friday’s practice in Irvine, Calif.

Rookie Tyler Shough and third-year pro Jake Haener also will take snaps as the Saints search for a starter to replace the retired Derek Carr.

“Super excited, awesome opportunity,” said Rattler, 24. “Excited to get to start the game. … Feel like it’s been a good camp. … We’re looking forward to it.”

Rattler, a fifth-round pick out of South Carolina in 2024, went 0-6 as the Saints’ starter during his rookie campaign. He completed 57.0 percent of his passes for 1,317 yards with four touchdowns and five interceptions.

New Orleans has home preseason games against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Aug. 17 and the Denver Broncos on Aug. 23 before opening the regular season against the visiting Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 7.

–Field Level Media

Oct 27, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Jake Haener (3) throws against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Report: Saints QB Jake Haener (oblique) out ‘couple of weeks’

New Orleans Saints quarterback Jake Haener will miss “a couple of weeks” after sustaining an oblique strain, ESPN reported Thursday.

Haener suffered the injury while throwing extra passes during Wednesday’s OTA practice.

Per ESPN, an MRI revealed a strain but no tear of the oblique for Haener, who is expected to be ready for the start of training camp.

He likely will be involved in a three-way competition with rookie Tyler Shough and Spencer Rattler for the starter’s role. Shough was selected by the Saints in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft last month, while Rattler was a fifth-round pick in 2024.

Derek Carr, the team’s starting quarterback the last two seasons, announced his retirement on May 10 due to a right shoulder injury.

Haener, 26, completed 18 of 39 passes for 226 yards with a touchdown and an interception in eight games (one start) last season. He was selected by the Saints in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

–Field Level Media

Dec 15, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA;  New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler (18) scrambles against Washington Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne (94) during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Saints plan to start Spencer Rattler at QB if Derek Carr is out

The New Orleans Saints likely will have a third starting quarterback in as many weeks on Monday.

Spencer Rattler is in line to draw the start if Derek Carr is ruled out as expected for the contest at Green Bay, Saints interim coach Darren Rizzi said on Thursday.

Carr hurt his left (non-throwing) hand in New Orleans’ 14-11 win over the New York Giants on Dec. 8. He sat out the Saints’ 20-19 defeat against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, and he didn’t practice on Thursday.

Rizzi said of Carr, “If he was done for the season, we would’ve put him on (injured reserve) by now and we would’ve shut him down. It’s just not the case. … He had one of his best days (Thursday), so as soon as he’s able to function and as soon as he’s able to go out there and get some functionality back in his hand, we’ll do that.”

Jake Haener got his first NFL start in Carr’s place against Washington and was pulled after completing just 4 of 10 passes for 49 yards with an interception.

Rattler took over and connected on 10 of 21 passes for 135 yards, hitting Foster Moreau for a 1-yard touchdown pass as time expired. His pass on the subsequent two-point-conversion attempt was incomplete, and the Saints lost.

When Carr was sidelined from Week 6 through Week 8, Rattler got the starts and lost all three contests while completing 59.6 percent of his passes for a total of 571 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.

Also missing the Saints’ Thursday practice was running back Alvin Kamara, who has a groin ailment that leaves him doubtful for Monday, according to Rizzi. The coach listed Kamara’s status as week-to-week.

“The initial tests were, it wasn’t really going to be that bad, and it’s just a little bit more significant, so a little bit more missed time,” Rizzi said.

Kamara leads the Saints with 950 rushing yards, and he has six touchdowns on the ground this year.

The Saints (5-9) are still technically in the playoff race ahead of their Monday game against the Packers (10-4).

–Field Level Media

Oct 27, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Jake Haener (3) throws against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Top 10 Player Props For NFL Week 15

It’s not a full Sunday slate of NFL action with two Monday night matchups, but it is going to be a busy day with plenty of player props to choose from among the games scheduled.

In an effort to make betting on them easier, we’ve done a deep dive into each game, looking for the best ones.

What is “best” is in the eye of the bettor, of course. But here are 10 of our favorite NFL player props from the Week 15 slate. (The following are in no particular order. Odds are from FanDuel unless otherwise indicated).

Commanders vs. Saints

Jake Haener, QB, New Orleans Saints O/U 188.5 Passing Yards -113/-113

The Saints’ passing game was mediocre on its best days, especially since Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed went on injured reserve. And now a former fourth-round pick, Haener, is set to get his first NFL start on Sunday vs. a decent Washington defense.

The Commanders’ defense will smell blood in the water against an inexperienced quarterback. Haener got his most significant action to date on Oct. 27 against the Chargers, against whom he went 9 of 17 for 122 yards.

Take the UNDER.

Alvin Kamara, O/U 16.5 Rushing Attempts +100/-130 (BetMGM)

Kamara has logged 17-plus rushing attempts in four of his past five games. Since Washington ranks toward the bottom in rushing yards allowed per game, there is a good chance the Saints give him the ball a few more times.

Take the OVER.

Patriots vs. Cardinals

Drake Maye, O/U 20.5 Pass Completions -128/-102

Maye has completed at least 22 passes in five of his past seven games. Of the two times he was under in that span, he left one game early due to a concussion, and in the other (vs. Chicago), the New England defense took center stage and he didn’t need to throw much. Opposing quarterbacks have completed 21-plus passes vs. the Cardinals in eight straight games.

Take the OVER.

Kyler Murray, O/U 223.5 Passing Yards -120/-110 (DraftKings)

Murray has had some ups and downs this season, but he has been “up” for his past four games, throwing for 266, 285, 260 and 259 yards. With the run game not doing well in recent weeks, he attempted 24, 37, 45 and 38 passes in those games, respectively.

However, the Cardinals lost the past three games and they were trying to come from behind. That may not be the case this week. Still, since their run game is struggling and the Patriots’ defense has been mediocre against the pass, he will throw enough to go OVER this total.

Take the OVER.

Ravens vs. Giants

Justice Hill, O/U 15.5 Rushing Yards at -113/-113

If you look at his stat lines for this season, the UNDER looks like a terrific play. He has gone UNDER that total in seven of his past eight games. With Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson carrying the bulk of the load, that makes sense.

However, if this game becomes the blowout it is expected to be, the Ravens will pull Henry early enough in the second half. With three games in 11 days this late in the season, the Ravens will want to give their star running back a break to preserve him for future games.

Don’t be shocked if Hill plays the entire fourth quarter, if not most of the second half.

Take the OVER.

Dolphins vs. Texans

Tua Tagovailoa, O/U 264.5 Passing Yards at -113/-113

O/U 1.5 Passing Touchdowns at -128/-102

The Texans possess one of those defenses where the stats do not paint an accurate picture of just how good they are. Overall, they rank seventh in pass defense this season, allowing 198.8 yards per game.

Even so, Jacksonville’s Mac Jones threw for 235 yards and almost completed an incredible second-half comeback in Houston’s most recent game. Before that, Tennessee’s Will Levis threw for 278 yards against the Texans, Cooper Rush threw for 354 yards and Detroit’s Jared Goff threw for 240 yards despite throwing five interceptions.

Tagovailoa has thrown for 300-plus yards in each of his past three games and had 288 in the one before that span. He has found his rhythm, and with the run game struggling, he is throwing a lot. Even if it looks sketchy for him in the first half, he will go OVER this total in the second half.

Take the OVER.

As for his touchdown total, Houston has given up 26 passing touchdowns this season, tied for the most in the NFL. Tagovailoa has thrown for two or more in each of his past four games. It would be a surprise if he did not throw at least two TD passes in this game.

Take the OVER.

Tyreek Hill, O/U 71.5 Receiving Yards at -113/-113

It has not been an excellent year for Hill, but he and Tagovailoa have formed a top connection the past two games. Hill was targeted 23 times in that stretch and caught 16 for 198 yards. The Texans may try to take him away, but they don’t have the personnel to do that. He may not do it until the fourth quarter, but Hill will go OVER 71.5 yards.

Take the OVER.

De’Von Achane, O/U 47.5 Rushing Yards at -113/-113

Houston has a decent run defense, and Achane has struggled to get the run game on track for the Dolphins no matter what team they face. He has gone over 47.5 yards just once in his past five games.

He will probably not go over it in this game because Miami will be too busy throwing the ball against the Texans’ defense.

Take the UNDER.

Nico Collins, O/U 88.5 Receiving Yards at -113/-113

Collins has improved with each game since returning from a five-game injury absence, culminating in an eight-reception, 119-yard day against the Jaguars. C.J. Stroud likely will try to target him 10 to 15 times in this game. As long as Collins catches half, he will go OVER 71.5 yards.

Take the OVER.

–Field Level Media

Aug 25, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA;  New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler (18) reacts to passing a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Saints rookie QB Spencer Rattler to start vs. Buccaneers

Rookie Spencer Rattler will start at quarterback when the New Orleans Saints host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, coach Dennis Allen said Wednesday.

Rattler will start in place of Derek Carr, who is expected to miss multiple weeks after sustaining an oblique injury in Monday’s 26-13 loss to the host Kansas City Chiefs.

Rattler was selected in the fifth round of April’s draft. The contest will mark his NFL debut.

The Saints chose Rattler over Jake Haener, who was the backup that replaced Carr on Monday.

“We talked a lot as a staff about what we felt like was the best thing for us and give us the best chance to win the game,” Allen told reporters. “That was the decision that we made and we’re excited about him getting an opportunity to go in there and we’ll let him go play and see what he can do.”

Rattler, 24, passed for 10,807 yards, 77 touchdowns and 32 interceptions in five college seasons — three at Oklahoma (2019-21) and two at South Carolina (2022-23).

Haener, 25, was a fourth-round pick by the Saints in 2023. He passed for 9,120 yards, 68 touchdowns and 18 interceptions in four on-field seasons for Washington (2018) and Fresno State (2020-22).

Haener has seen action in three games, including the loss to Kansas City, and has completed 2 of 8 passes for 17 yards.

Carr, 33, has passed for 989 yards, eight touchdowns and four interceptions this season, his second in New Orleans. He was a four-time Pro Bowl selection during nine seasons with the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders.

–Field Level Media

Mar 4, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Fresno State quarterback Jake Haener (QB05) participates in drills at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Saints add QB Jake Haener in fourth round of NFL draft

The New Orleans Saints traded up in the fourth round of the NFL draft Saturday to select Fresno State quarterback Jake Haener.

Haener was the Senior Bowl MVP and is the first Fresno State quarterback to be drafted since Derek Carr — whom the Saints signed as a free agent in March to be their new starter.

The Saints picked Haener at No. 127 overall, which they acquired from the Jacksonville Jaguars for the No. 227 pick and a fourth-rounder in 2024.

Haener threw for 2,896 yards, 20 touchdowns and just three interceptions in seven games in 2022. That followed a 4,096-yard campaign in 2021.

The Saints also have Jameis Winston, Jake Luton and Taysom Hill on their roster. Though Hill is listed as a tight end, the ex-quarterback attempted 19 passes and threw for two touchdowns for New Orleans in 2022.

Haener was the sixth quarterback selected in the 2023 draft and the first on Day 3. One selection later, the Los Angeles Rams picked Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett.

–Field Level Media