METAIRIE, La. (AP) — New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr practiced on a limited basis on Wednesday while working through the NFL’s concussion protocol.
However, more than half a dozen Saints players, including Taysom Hill, the club’s co-leader in total touchdowns, did not participate.
The Saints also placed safety Marcus Maye and defensive tackle Malcolm Roach on injured reserve.
Carr left Sunday’s 33-28 loss to Detroit with concussion symptoms, as well as shoulder and rib injuries. The 10-year veteran was hurt when Detroit pass rusher Bruce Irvin slammed him to the turf as he released a pass. Irvin was flagged for unnecessary roughness on the play.
It was the third time this season that the 32-year-old Carr had been knocked out of a game and the second time in 22 days that he’d been diagnosed with a concussion.
“He feels pretty good with all the other ills that he’s dealing with,” Saints coach Dennis Allen said, referring to Carr’s shoulder and rib injuries. His recovery from the concussion is “the primary thing” leaving Carr’s status for Sunday’s home game against Carolina in doubt, Allen said.
Allen declined to share whether physicians have discussed the extent to which Carr’s prognosis could be complicated by having had more than one concussion in recent weeks.
“It’s really not something I can comment on,” Allen said.
If Carr cannot play, Jameis Winston likely would start against the Panthers.
Carr, who spent his first nine NFL seasons with the Raiders, is in the first year of a four-year, $150 million free-agent contract. His first season in New Orleans has been riddled with inconsistent play, and the offense has struggled to get in the end zone.
Fans in the Superdome booed Carr on Sunday during introductions and when he took the field during the game.
“Derek heard it. We all heard it. We knew what was going on. It’s not like we’re oblivious to it,” running back Alvin Kamara said. “I’ve never experienced anything like it. I don’t like it. I know Derek — that’s not something that he likes. We got to win. … Winning puts a Band-Aid on a lot of that stuff.”
Kamara also sounded disinclined to pass judgment on injured receiver Michael Thomas’ social media posts during the game, which appeared critical of Carr, but which also were vague enough to be open to interpretation.
Allen has said the club’s reaction to Thomas’ posts or any related discipline would remain “in-house.” Thomas, meanwhile, deactivated his X (formerly Twitter) account.
“I don’t know everything that he tweeted, but I’ve seen a couple and I wouldn’t say that I particularly have a problem with anything,” Kamara said. “That’s his personal opinion. Now, if he wants to broadcast it, that’s on him.”
It’s not clear how or when Hill’s injuries occurred. He played throughout Sunday’s game, rushing 13 times for 59 yards and a touchdown from the quarterback position. He also lined up at tight end and caught two passes for 15 yards.
Hill spoke with reporters after the game and did not show any visible signs of injury.
Saints veterans such as right tackle Ryan Ramczyk and tight end Jimmy Graham regularly are given Wednesdays off from practice so they can have an extra day to recover between games. But Hill normally has not taken extra rest this season.
Hill has five total TDs this season — four rushing and one receiving, tying him for the team lead with Kamara, who also has four scores rushing and one receiving.
Maye, who has a shoulder injury, has played in seven games this season, starting in all of them. He has two interceptions, a sack and three tackles for loss.
Roach, who injured his right knee on Sunday, has played in all 12 of New Orleans’ games this season as a reserve. He has three tackles for loss and a QB hit.
Also missing Wednesday’s practice were receiver Rashid Shaheed (thigh), running back Kendre Miller (ankle), defensive end Cameron Jordan (ankle) and rookie defensive end Isaiah Foskey (quadriceps).
