Saints' Derek Carr has sprained AC joint, is week-to-week - ESPN

METAIRIE, La. — New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr sprained his right AC joint and is considered week-to-week, coach Dennis Allen said Monday.

Allen did not rule Carr out for Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, saying the injury is not as serious as it could've been.

«I think we dodged a bullet there in terms of real significance,» Allen said.

Allen said that Carr felt better Monday morning and that he'll continue to be evaluated throughout the week.

«We're not making any decisions today; we're not ruling anything out,» Allen said. «We'll see where he's at as the week goes on.»

Allen did not specify the grade of the sprain.

«All I can tell you is that he was much better today than he was yesterday,» Allen said. «We're going to continue to evaluate him, and when he's healthy enough that he can go out and perform and do the things that he needs to do to give our team a chance to win, then he'll be back in there.»

Carr's playing status will likely be determined by his pain tolerance and ability to function, but it won't be made worse by him playing through it.

«I don't think it's a further risk of injury,» Allen said. «It's 'can you function and do your job?'»

Carr was hurt in the third quarter of the Saints' 18-17 loss to the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Sunday. The Saints were up 17-0 when he took a sack that caused him to land hard on his shoulder.

He laid on the turf for several minutes as athletic trainers tended to him. He then went to the medical tent on the sideline briefly before leaving the game. Carr went to a local hospital for X-rays but flew back with the team on Sunday.

Jameis Winston took over in Carr's absence, completing 10-of-16 passes for 101 yards. He was able to drive the