In a tense matchup on Monday night, New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr was forced to leave the game against the Kansas City Chiefs due to an oblique injury, resulting from a brutal hit late in the fourth quarter. The Saints ended up losing 26-13, marking their third consecutive defeat after starting the season strong.

The incident occurred when Carr was attempting to convert on a deep fourth down, with the Chiefs unleashing a fierce all-out blitz. After being hit hard in the backfield, Carr struggled to get up and was seen walking slowly to the locker room without his helmet shortly after. Initially reported as questionable to return, updates regarding the nature of his injury remain sparse, and it was confirmed he would not be returning to the game. By the time he left, Carr had completed 18 of 28 passes for 165 yards, including two touchdowns and one interception.

With their starting quarterback sidelined, the Saints turned to rookie Jake Haener to take the reins. Drafted in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Fresno State, Haener's inexperience showed—though he had appeared in three games this season, this was just his second opportunity to throw meaningful passes, ending the game with a meager 2 of 7 for 17 yards.

On the other side, the Chiefs dominated from beginning to end, improving to a flawless 5-0. Patrick Mahomes threw for 331 yards and one interception, extending his streak of games with a pick to nine in a row. Running back Kareem Hunt was instrumental, tallying 102 rushing yards and a touchdown on 27 carries.

For the Saints, the offense struggled notably. Star running back Alvin Kamara managed only 26 yards on 11 carries, while Rashid Shaheed shined briefly with 86 yards and a touchdown on four receptions. Carr had also connected with tight end Foster Moreau for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, reducing the deficit to just three points at one stage. However, the Chiefs responded decisively, scoring 10 unanswered points to secure their victory.

The Saints' recent struggles come as a stark contrast to their promising start to the season, where they secured two overwhelming victories. The upcoming matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next Sunday looms large, especially with Carr's status still uncertain.

Will the Saints find a way to rally without their star quarterback? Or is this just the beginning of a deeper struggle for New Orleans? Fans will be waiting for updates, hoping for a quick recovery for Carr and a turnaround in the Saints' fortunes.