The Saints will look to draw momentum from Carr’s return and end their six-game losing streak in their rematch against the Panthers

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – After a six-game losing streak, things might be starting to get better for the New Orleans Saints.

Not only are the Saints expected to get a jolt with the return of veteran quarterback Derek Carr, who has been out since Week 5, but they also have a chance to face the NFL-worst Carolina Panthers (1-7) again to get on track Sunday.

While the Saints (2-6) certainly don’t resemble the world-beaters they looked in the season opener, when they took a 30-0 lead in the second quarter and beat the Panthers 47-10 in the Superdome, they appear to have it Carolina’s number.

The Saints are 3-0 against Panthers quarterback Bryce Young and have won their last two games by a total of 59 points.

Saints coach Dennis Allen said his team’s dominant win in Week 1 means nothing for this week.

“Zero,” Allen said. “The game was eight weeks ago. What we do in practice this week is important. What we do in the game is important.”

Under first-year head coach Dave Canales, the Panthers haven’t made much progress on either end. Only three teams have given up more points in eight games in the Super Bowl era, and the offense remains near or near the bottom of the league in most statistical categories.

Carr, who completed 19 of 23 passes for 200 yards in the opener and threw touchdown passes in the first half, will look to take advantage of Carolina’s leaky secondary, which allowed 17 TD passes, tied for the most in the league.

But he’s trying to resist the temptation to take on an outsized role in an offense that’s desperately trying to climb out of its recent slump.

“I’m not a savior,” Carr said. “I’m here to be a great leader and a great teammate and do my job to the best of my ability. Am I confident in what I can do? Absolutely.”

Young gets the nod again

Previously on the bench, Young will make his second consecutive start while 37-year-old Andy Dalton is still recovering from a sprained right thumb suffered in a car accident last week.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft is 2-17 as an NFL starter and has more interceptions than touchdown passes in his short, disappointing career. Although rumors continue to swirl about a move involving Young, the Panthers don’t appear to have any interest in moving on from him at this time.

“I’m excited for Bryce to get another opportunity to build on things (and) just continue to grow and get that invaluable experience – being on the field, calling the plays and doing it,” Canales said.

Carr repaired

Carr said pain hasn’t been his big problem over the past three weeks.

His tense oblique throw was simply too weak to maintain proper throwing mechanics. The recipe for recovery was initially rest, which meant he couldn’t even pick up his children, which he said was “probably the hardest part”.

“I literally had no choice but to wait and let the wound heal,” Carr said.

In recent weeks he has gradually increased his throwing behavior to avoid a setback.

Replace Johnson

The Panthers traded No. 1 wide receiver Diontae Johnson to Baltimore earlier this week and will lean heavily on rookies Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker going forward. There’s a chance veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen could be back on the roster this week after missing the last five games with a hamstring injury.

Legette said Young showed more confidence in Coker and him last week against Denver by throwing the ball up and allowing them to make plays. Legette and Coker both caught TD passes in Carolina’s 28-14 loss to the Broncos.

“I definitely trust (Xavier). “I trust all of our receivers,” Young said. “There are a lot of bang-bang games in this league, a lot of tight windows and tough shots.”

Secondary adjustments

Saints defensive back Alontae Taylor, who has spent much of the last two seasons moving from cornerback to nickelback, is expected to return to defending the perimeter this week.

That’s partly because it’s unclear whether cornerback Marshon Lattimore will be able to return from a nagging hamstring injury.

“I’m back home, I guess you could say,” Taylor said. “But I’m really trying to figure out what I can do to maybe give us a better chance of winning games.

With cornerback Paulson Adebo out for the season with a broken leg and Lattimore dealing with his injury, Taylor is now one of the more experienced and prominent defensive backs on the roster.

“I think the best thing I can do is just keep flying around,” Taylor said. “I need to make sure I set a better example for the younger guys and lead them in the best way possible.”

Will Brooks make his NFL debut?

The Panthers were cautious about bringing in rookie running back Jonathan Brooks, their second-round draft pick, as he recovers from a torn ACL he suffered in Texas last year.

However, there is a possibility that Brooks could make his NFL debut on Sunday against the Saints.

Brooks would provide a home run threat to the Panthers’ backfield, which they currently lack. Chuba Hubbard has been solid, reliable and arguably the team’s most productive player this season.

Still, Brooks offers an explosive style that could lead to some big plays.

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AP Sports Writer Brett Martel in New Orleans contributed to this report.