In a disappointing Week 10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, the New Orleans Saints faced not only a defeat on the scoreboard but also a setback as their starting quarterback, Derek Carr, left the game early due to injury. Carr's absence from the field came after a brutal hit from Danielle Hunter, which not only put him in concussion protocol but also resulted in an injury to his throwing shoulder.

Before leaving the game, Carr's performance was lackluster, completing 13 out of 18 passes for 110 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. He also managed a modest 10 rushing yards from a single rush attempt. With the Saints trailing 27-3 in the third quarter, Carr went down midway through the team's second drive of the second half, leading to Jameis Winston taking over as quarterback.

Winston, despite throwing for more yards (122), failed to reverse the Saints' fortunes entirely. He did manage to score two touchdowns, one after replacing Carr and another a couple of drives later. However, Winston's two interceptions on consecutive possessions sealed the team's fate.

Speculation arose about a possible quarterback controversy in New Orleans, given Winston's performance. Nevertheless, Saints' coach Dennis Allen promptly clarified that Carr would remain the starter moving forward, conditionally on his recovery from injury.

As of now, Carr's status for the Saints' next game remains unknown. However, with a bye week on the horizon, there is hope that Carr will be able to return for the subsequent match, as reported by NFL Media's Ian Rapoport. This injury marks the second shoulder injury of the season for Carr, but the bye week provides a much-needed opportunity for him to heal.

In a broader perspective, the NFC South continues to be a division where no team seems eager to seize the lead. The Saints' loss not only squandered an opportunity to pull away from the pack but also coincided with the Atlanta Falcons' third consecutive defeat. On the positive side, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers managed to gain ground with a victory, but they face a tough challenge against the San Francisco 49ers in their upcoming game.

The division's pivotal match will take place in two weeks when the Saints travel to Atlanta, giving both teams ample time to prepare for a crucial showdown in their quest to rise above the rest.