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Derek Carr has been one of the most polarizing quarterbacks ever since being drafted by the Raiders in 2014. Carr looked to be on the way to becoming a superstar after a dominant third season in 2016, where he finished third in MVP voting and was the 10th-best QB in fantasy.
However, since that season, Carr has been a tease. He certainly has the talent to be a superstar but has been way too inconsistent since 2016. Those inconsistencies caused the Raiders to move on from him after last season. His time with the Saints has been a mixed bag so far, which included an injury in their Week 3 game against Green Bay.
Is Carr playing in Week 4 against the Buccaneers? Should you start him in fantasy football? Let's take a look.
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Is Derek Carr Injured or Healthy?
Saints quarterback Derek Carr (shoulder) is questionable heading into the game against Tampa Bay. HC Dennis Allen told reporters that Carr was "limited in practice today."
Derek Carr at practice today in helmet pic.twitter.com/YQahp3okVw
— NOF (@nofnetwork) September 29, 2023
Carr told reporters: "If I can play, I'll play. If I physically just can't play, then I can't play. But if I'm out there, there is no fear of re-injury." This means that whenever Carr returns, whether it's against the Bucs or another team, he'll be fully healed.
Despite being limited in the practice, he wore his helmet and looked fine. He will most likely be a game-time decision right before the matchup against the Buccaneers. The Saints have a very capable backup in Jameis Winston if Carr can't get ready for the game.
Is Jameis Winston A Good Fantasy Football Pickup For Week 4?
If Carr can play, he'll be a solid option for you to start, especially if you don't have any good QBs in his place. He had a brilliant performance against Tampa Bay during his aforementioned 2016 season, finishing as that week's overall QB1. His other game against the Bucs was a good performance in 2020. He finished as that week's overall QB12.
If he's ruled out, you'll probably be looking at Jameis Winston, but beware. This Bucs defense knows how to make opposing QBs play worse than their average production. Kirk Cousins (-0.5), Justin Fields (-3.8), and Jalen Hurts (-3.7) all had fewer fantasy points than their season averages in 2022 when playing the 2023 Buccaneers.
Winston himself hasn't exactly been promising against his former squad in previous matchups. He got injured in 2021 in his first start against the team that drafted him first overall in 2015 and finished as the eighth-worst starting QB in Week 2 of 2022. If you want to take a chance on Jameis, going to the other side and taking a chance on Baker Mayfield might not be a bad idea, as he has been very solid.
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