Jake Haener is the next man up at center for the New Orleans Saints.

Haener will make his first NFL start on Sunday against the Washington Commanders, NFL Network Insider Mike Garafolo reported Thursday evening.

Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football first reported the news.

Derek Carr is dealing with a left hand injury that will keep him out Sunday – and possibly the rest of the season – and Haener is preferred over rookie Spencer Rattler.

Haener was the team’s backup player when Carr missed time early in the season with an oblique injury. Although Haener came on to replace Carr when he was injured in Week 5 against the Kansas City Chiefs, then-head coach Dennis Allen gave Rattler the starting role. Rattler went 0-3 as a starter.

This time Haener takes his chance to become QB1.

Haener, who was selected by the Saints in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, has played in seven games this season, completing 14 of 29 passes (48.3%) for 177 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions.

Haener, who was diagnosed with skin cancer earlier this year but has not yet gone away, will lead the host Saints (5-8) against the Commanders (8-5) on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.