METAIRIE, La. — Eleven days since sustaining a game-ending concussion in New Orleans' Week 10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, Saints quarterback Derek Carr has cleared concussion protocol.
The first-year Saints signal-caller, who spent his first nine seasons with the Raiders, should start on Sunday with the Saints traveling east to face division rival Atlanta following a bye week.
The four-time Pro Bowler is 220-of-334 passing on the season, with 2,231 yards, 10 touchdowns and four interceptions for a passer rating of 89.9 in 10 games.
“Obviously, you always want to have your starting guy in there,” running back Alvin Kamara said of Carr. “So, thankfully he didn’t have to miss a lot of time, and he's back in here rolling."
Currently, the Saints (5-5) sit atop the NFC South with a one-game lead over the Falcons (4-6) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6). The Carolina Panthers are at the bottom of the division ladder at 1-9.
Others listed on the Saints Week 12 injury report on Thursday, included four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore (ankle), offensive lineman James Hurst (illness) and rookie running back Kendre Miller (ankle), none of whom practiced the last two days.
Offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk (NIR-rest/knee) participated in limited practice on Thursday after taking a day off on Wednesday. Meanwhile, rookie defensive end Isaiah Foskey engaged in limited practice both days due to a quadricep injury.
As reported on Tuesday, wide receiver Michael Thomas was placed on injured reserve due to a knee injury and will miss the next four games.
Thomas, who was arrested two weeks ago following an altercation with a neighbor near his Kenner residence, had appeared in 10 games this season, catching 39 passes for 448 yards and 1 touchdown.
Meanwhile, former Saints receiver Marquez Callaway was re-signed to the team's practice squad this week and the team's 2021 leading pass catcher talked about returning with Carr now under center.
"For the most part, it's pretty much the same," Callaway said. "I haven't gotten a chance to work with Derek a lot, but the times I have, he's caught on fast and that's hard for a quarterback."
Kickoff Sunday is set for noon.
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