Dennis Allen is desperate for solutions as the Saints make a huge mid-game change

Despite welcoming several key players back from injury, the New Orleans Saints are still struggling in their Week 8 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. Trailing 16-5 late in the third quarter, the Saints decided to shake things up, benching rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler, and inserting second-year QB Jake Haener into the game.

Rattler, who was named the starter after Derek Carr went down with an oblique injury in Week 5, was 12-of-24 for 156 yards before being benched. The rookie QB was also sacked three times— something that has emerged as a consistent problem for him in his short career, as he holds on to the ball too long at times.

Saints replace Spencer Rattler with Jake Haener

Haener entered the game and completed his first pass, but his second pass was dropped by Chris Olave, and New Orleans had to settle for three points. He’ll now try to lead the Saints on an epic fourth-quarter comeback.

Regardless of how Haener performs, this is expected to be the final week that Derek Carr isn’t under center. The veteran quarterback has started throwing progressions, and head coach Dennis Allen has circled the Week 9 game against the Carolina Panthers as Carr’s likely return date.

Unfortunately for Carr and the Saints, the season may already be over by the time he’s back on the field. If New Orleans is unable to comeback against the Chargers, the team’s record will be 2-6 going into Week 9. That means the Saints will pretty much have to win out if they want a shot at the playoffs.

The team understands that, and that’s why the decision to replace Rattler with Haener was made. The game was still in reach, so New Orleans needed to try everything it could to get a win.

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