The New Orleans Saints might receive a visit from the Ghost of Christmas Future this Monday.
The team officially ruled quarterback Derek Carr (left hand) out of Week 16's game against the Green Bay Packers (10-4) at Lambeau Field, paving the way for rookie Spencer Rattler to make his fourth start and first since Week 8.
With second-year running back Kendre Miller expected to receive a heavy workload due to Alvin Kamara's absence (groin), the two young Saints could give New Orleans a glimpse into its future.
Last Sunday, Rattler had his best performance of the season in relief of Jake Haener in a 20-19 loss to the Commanders (9-5).
He led the Saints (5-9) on four second-half scoring drives after being shut out in the first half. In his three starts from Weeks 6-8, New Orleans scored on six of Rattler's 33 series.
Rattler was 10-of-21 for 135 yards and one touchdown. Perhaps most importantly, he avoided being sacked after taking 14 sacks in his first three starts.
Rattler spoke about his development since his first stint as a starter and listed a couple of factors.
"Different coach, a lot of injuries. A lot of missing pieces. That was a big part of it," Rattler said, via NewOrleans.Football.
The Saints fired former head coach Dennis Allen after they fell to 2-7 following a Week 9 loss to the Panthers (3-11). In five games under interim head coach Darren Rizzi, the Saints are 3-2.
New Orleans was also hit hard by the injury bug midseason. While New Orleans is missing wideouts Chris Olave (concussion) and Rashid Shaheed (knee), it's gotten healthier along the offensive line.
Guards Lucas Patrick, Cesar Ruiz and center Erik McCoy are among the Saints linemen to return in recent weeks.
"Having guys back makes it a lot better," Rattler said.
Miller is another one of those guys. This season, he has 28 carries, 130 yards (4.6 yards per carry) and one touchdown.
Due to injury, Miller has appeared in only 12 career games, but he has shown explosiveness when available.
Here he is as a rookie last season against New England, taking a swing pass at the line of scrimmage, turning upfield and accelerating for a 33-yard gain.
He showed similar quickness on this 17-yard gain last Sunday against the Commanders.
In the All-22 footage below from Sunday's game (second play), you can see the massive lane the Saints offensive line gave him to run through.
Miller is also a physical runner, as he showed on an eight-yard touchdown run in Week 14 against the Giants. He was met by Giants defenders at New York's 6-yard line, kept the pile moving and pushed his way into the end zone.
Miller could use an impressive finish to earn a larger role as the Saints' No. 2 back next season. Kamara, 29, recently signed a two-year extension, but Miller, 22, could position himself as New Orleans' next lead back.
Meanwhile, the Saints have a contract decision on Carr, who is owed $30 million (injury guaranteed) if he's on New Orleans' roster on the third day of the 2025 league year (March 14, 2025).
Rattler could make the team's decision easier with a strong end to the season.
We'll see a lot of Rattler and Miller on Monday, and their performances will determine how much we see them thereafter.
