Raiders’ Derek Carr back at practice, but not expected to play
ALAMEDA, Calif. — A quartet of Blue Angels jets buzzed over the Raiders’ practice field Thursday, their dashing demonstration a warmup in advance of Saturday’s Fleet Week show in the Bay Area.
Here at ground level, the Raiders aren’t pushing the speed envelope in practice.
Quarterback Derek Carr made an appearance Thursday, stretching with teammates and throwing passes during the individual drill period. But EJ Manuel is expected to be the starter Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens at Oakland-Alameda County Stadium.
Clearly, Carr has made progress. He lobbed a deep pass Thursday and gave a thumbs up shortly afterward.
If this pace continues, he has a realistic shot at missing just one game to the transverse process fracture he sustained Sunday in his lower back against the Denver Broncos. In that event, he would return for a two-game, five-day stretch in which the Raiders will host the Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs on Oct. 15 and 19. At this point, this scenario could even be considered likely despite coach Jack Del Rio’s two- to six-week timetable.
“We’re going to miss DC,” left tackle Donald Penn said before Thursday’s practice. “DC is our guy. He leads our offense. He leads our team. We’re going to miss him. I talked to him this morning. He’s very ahead of schedule. I’m looking forward to that. That was good news to hear from him today.”
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Contact reporter Michael Gehlken at mgehlken@reviewjournal.com. Follow @GehlkenNFL on Twitter.
