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.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Jake Haener entered the game late in the fourth quarter after starter Derek Carr (hand, head) was forced out due to injury. Carr took the ball in a designed run and vaulted over defenders near the sideline but came down hard on his left arm and head. Coming in with four minutes left in the game, Haener took just four snaps and did not record a pass attempt. He handed the ball off three times and was sacked for a ten-yard loss on his only dropback. Haener also took over at quarterback in Week 5 when Carr exited that game with an oblique injury, but the Saints turned to Spencer Rattler for the next three starts. It is too soon to tell who will be the Saints' signal-caller in Week 15, with the decision largely dependent on confirmation of the extent of Carr's injuries.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Jake Haener was probably not expecting to be on the field for Thursday's game against the Denver Broncos. Even with Derek Carr (oblique) needing more time to heal, Spencer Rattler (hip) was the expected starter and it was made clear by the team that the rookie would be given a long leash. As it so happened, Rattler himself was forced to the sidelines after falling awkwardly when he was sacked with just over four minutes left in the game. The play resulted in a fumble that the Broncos returned for a touchdown, putting Haener under center on short notice. The second-year quarterback from Fresno State looked better than he did when he relieved Carr in Week 5. Haener completed 3-of-4 passes for 38 yards and a touchdown, the first of his career. It is too soon to tell if Rattler's injury is enough to keep him out of action but if he is held out of Week 8 then Haener would be the next man up. Whoever draws the start won't have it easy as the Saints next face the Los Angeles Chargers, who have allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points per game in 2024.