Derek Carr
Derek Carr (#4) of the New Orleans Saints warms up before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 26, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

The New Orleans Saints got some good news heading into their matchup with the Carolina Panthers in Week 14 on Sunday, December 10.

Saints QB Derek Carr has reportedly passed concussion protocol on Friday, December 8, and may start against the Panthers, per NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport.

According to the pool report of Luke Johnson of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, Carr has been made available.

"Everyone has got a broken something, dealing with this or dealing with that. I got my treatment, I did my protocol stuff, but I also, most importantly, made sure that I did everything I need to do to accomplish my job," Carr said when asked after the report came out via NFL.com.

Should the Saints rest Carr?

Heading into the Week 14 matchup against the 1-11 Panthers, the Saints are heavy favorites to prevail.

New Orleans is a 5.5-point spread favorite over Carolina per BetMGM NFL odds via USA Today. The Moneyline is -225 for the Saints and +185 for the Panthers, with the over/under at 38.

Given that, it will be interesting if Saints coach Dennis Allen will risk playing Carr or going with someone else. If so, Jameis Winston could get the starting nod to help give the four-time Pro Bowler the same needed rest.

Carr's latest injury came in the Saints' 33-28 loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday, December 4. He took a hard hit from Lions' pass-rusher Bruce Irvin and exited the game in the fourth quarter, ESPN reported.

It was the third time this season that Carr was forced to exit the game. He was also forced out before the Lions' game after suffering a sprained AC joint of his throwing shoulder in Week 3 against the Green Bay Packers.

He was also forced to leave the Saints game against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 10 after aggravating the same shoulder injury.