METAIRIE, La. (BRPROUD) — New Orleans Saints rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler will continue to be the team's starter Sunday with Derek Carr still rehabbing from an oblique injury. Carr's return is getting closer. He's currently going through throwing progressions and head coach Dennis Allen said earlier this week, he is very likely to return to the field Week 9 at Carolina. Other than that, the Saints are getting healthy. Right guard Cesar Ruiz, left guard Lucas Patrick and tight end Taysom Hill all have a good chance of playing against the Chargers. Wide receiver Chris Olave is also progressing well through the league's concussion protocol. Getting these guys back would be a huge boost to the Saints because they've had 11 of 22 opening day starters miss at least one game this season. New Orleans Saints defense needs to improve before game against Chargers "Getting guys back that you planned on being starters, you planned on counting on and in particular, some of these guys are kind of key cogs in what we do offensively," Allen said. "Hopefully we'll be able to get majority of these guys back and be more consistent offensively. Like I said, we've done some good things. We've moved the ball at times, but then we've made some critical mistakes that have cost us." "Across the board, I mean, minus the injuries we stack up with anybody," said Alvin Kamara, Saints running back. "So, I think we just got to get back to understanding and really realizing that we can be a great team. I mean, I don't like to go to those first two games because it don't really matter at this point. But I mean, you see when we hitting on all cylinders, what it could be." Rattler will have a new weapon at his disposal Sunday, newly signed wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who previously spent time in Green Bay, Kansas City and most recently Buffalo. Latest News Oregon school district calls on Cruz to take down transgender ads Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office to sell jambalaya plates, help dispatcher diagnosed with breast cancer Vince McMahon, WWE accused of ignoring sexual abuse of boys CDC updates COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for older adults Ride Along: Zachary football coach talks 5A showdown with Woodlawn