Jake Haener DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

The New Orleans Saints will give quarterback Jake Haener the start on Sunday against the Washington Commanders. Interim head coach Darren Rizzi confirmed the nomination in comments to the media on Friday. Haener took the reins from Derek Carr (hand, concussion) in Week 14 after Carr injured himself late in the Saints' win over the New York Giants. He only had one dropback in that game, which resulted in a sack for a loss of 10 yards. This will be Haener's first start of the season. During the season, Haener appeared in seven games in 2024, going 14-for-29 for 177 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions. The Saints wide receiver corps has been depleted by injuries, limiting the inexperienced Haener's utility to fantasy managers in two-QB leagues who are desperate for their second option.

New Orleans Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi named quarterback Jake Haener as the team's starter under center for this Sunday's game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, according to a source. Although the Saints are bullish on rookie Spencer Rattler, it will be Haener getting the first starting nod with regular starter Derek Carr (concussion, hand) potentially missing multiple weeks after fracturing his left (non-throwing) hand and suffering a concussion in the Week 14 win over the New York Giants. The 25-year-old Haener replaced Carr late in last week's game but didn't attempt a single pass. Despite being drafted last year, Haener didn't debut until this year, and he's gone 14-for-29 for 177 yards and a TD in part of seven games. At best, he's a low-end QB2 consideration in two-QB superflex leagues with limited upside this weekend against the Commanders.

The New Orleans Saints are down to quarterbacks Jake Haener and rookie Spencer Rattler with Derek Carr (concussion, hand) potentially done for the season. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler thinks Haener is well positioned to get the start in Week 15 against the Washington Commanders after replacing Carr in the Week 14 win over the New York Giants. The Saints have yet to make a decision on their starting QB for this Sunday, though, and want to gauge how both Haener and Rattler handle the practice week. New Orleans remains bullish on the future of Rattler after he started three games for an injured Carr earlier this season. However, Haener has more experience and knows how to move the ball downfield, which could give him the nod, at least this week. Either way the Saints go, their QB will be a low-end QB2 in superflex leagues, at best.