The Saints turned to QB Jake Haener | in search of an offensive spark Saints

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – After the New Orleans Saints' sixth straight loss, coach Dennis Allen said there is a chance starting quarterback Derek Carr will return for the team's Week 9 game against the Carolina Panthers.

But if he doesn't, the team's quarterback picture will be as bleak as ever.

Rookie Spencer Rattler made his third straight start since Carr suffered an oblique injury in Week 5 against the Kansas City Chiefs, but was unable to finish in the 26-8 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Allen pulled Rattler from the lineup in favor of Jake Haener with 4:50 left in the third quarter.

“I felt like we had to do something to get something going offensively,” Allen said. “We weren't able to move the football and I felt like we had to do something to create a spark.”

Technically, Haener provided some of what Allen was looking for. Haener ran the offense for four drives, three of which ended within scoring range. But those four drives resulted in just three points, which is exactly how many points the Saints scored in Rattler's eight possessions.

Haener finished the game completing nine of his 17 pass attempts for 122 yards and two sacks. Rattler completed 12 of 24 for 156 yards and recorded three sacks.

None of the quarterbacks turned the ball over, but none were able to have lasting success either. Eight of Rattler's nine drives ended in punts.

It was quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko who informed Haener that he would take over in the third quarter. Haener said after the game that he wasn't told this before Sunday's loss to the Chargers.

Haener has now played five games this season.

“For me it’s always the same: Just take it easy, trust my preparation and try to put a few people in position to make the plays,” Haener said. “Of course we want to score touchdowns. … My job is to get to the end zone, so we have to be better there, I have to help my guys when they need me and continue to improve.”

When asked about his bench move after the game, Rattler said, “I control the controllable things, you know?” I'm a team guy. I want us to win either way. It is what it is.”

New Orleans drafted Rattler in the fifth round this year, and although he was a forced third-string quarterback through the first five games, the team opted to use him as a starter the final three weeks.

In those three starts, Rattler completed 59 of 99 passes for 571 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. The Saints lost all three by an average of 21.7 points.

“Obviously we didn’t get any wins, so it’s very unfortunate,” Rattler said.