The mystery is solved. The Washington Commanders now know which quarterback they’ll face in Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints.
According to Nick Underhill of New Orleans Football, Jake Haener will start in Week 15 over rookie Spencer Rattler. A fourth-round pick from Fresno State in the 2023 NFL draft, Haener has appeared in seven games, completing 48% of his passes for 177 yards and a touchdown.
Starting quarterback Derek Carr suffered a concussion and fractured his left wrist in last week’s win over the Giants. Haener relieved Carr and has served as the Saints’ No. 2 quarterback all season. However, when Carr missed three games earlier in the year, Rattler was named the starter.
In his three starts, Rattler completed 60% of his passes for 571 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. He was sacked 14 times in the three games.
Sunday will be Haener’s first NFL start.
Haener began his career at Washington, serving as a backup for two seasons before transferring to Fresno State, where he became a highly successful three-year starter.
Haener and the Saints will be without wide receivers Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and tight end Taysom Hill, who have all been on injured reserve for weeks.
