Source: Saints’ Carr expected to start vs. Panthers

New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr, who cleared the concussion protocol and was removed from the injury report, will start Sunday vs. the Carolina Panthers.

“I have felt better, but I’m doing great, that’s for sure,” Carr said in a pool report distributed to the media by the team Friday.

Carr was placed into the concussion protocol in the fourth quarter of last Sunday’s loss to the Detroit Lions, the second time he had gone into the protocol in a month.

Carr also left the Saints’ game against the Minnesota Vikings on Nov. 12 after sustaining a concussion. The Saints were on a bye the next week, but Carr returned the following week against the Atlanta Falcons.

He has not missed a game yet this season despite leaving three games with an injury. The Saints (5-7) have lost their past three games.

Carr said he didn’t have additional concerns about sustaining two concussions in a short time span but went through additional testing this week.

“Our doctors and the non-affiliated doctor said everything was perfect. They showed me the results in comparison to things. I do not have any worries on that stuff,” Carr said. “It didn’t feel like the two were even related to one another. So for me, that’s just sometimes the price of doing business and playing football. So no concern on that part, long-term or short-term.”

Carr’s targets vs. the Panthers (1-11) will be a short-handed group, but there was some positive news. Saints tight end Juwan Johnson, listed as questionable due to a quad injury, is active. Wide receiver Chris Olave is also active after he had been listed as questionable with an illness.

But New Orleans quarterback Taysom Hill, who plays running back and tight end, is out vs. the Panthers because of foot and left hand injuries. Rashid Shaheed, another Saints receiver who was listed as questionable because of a thigh injury, is also inactive, but the club is hopeful he can play next week vs. the New York Giants.

New Orleans defeated Carolina 20-17 in Week 2.