Raiders QB Carr returns to field
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr returned to practice four days after breaking a bone in his back.
Carr took snaps and threw a few light passes yesterday during the open period of practice. E.J. Manuel is expected to start Sunday for the Raiders against Baltimore.
Raiders coach Jack Del Rio said Monday that Carr has a transverse process fracture in his back after taking a hard hit last week in Denver. Del Rio says the injury usually takes 2-6 weeks to heal.
Left tackle Donald Penn talked to Carr earlier in the day and said the quarterback told him he was “very ahead of schedule.” ...
Minnesota quarterback Sam Bradford rejoined the team for practice for the first time in two weeks, raising the possibility of him coming back as the starter for Monday’s game at Chicago.
Bradford went through drop-back throwing drills during the initial portion of the workout that was open to reporters. He has been kept out of the past three games because of a sore left knee that stemmed from the season opener.
Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said he doesn’t know yet whether Bradford or backup Case Keenum will start on Monday against the Bears, but the extra day before the game will give Bradford a better chance to be cleared for a return. The Vikings (2-2) have lost two of their three games with Keenum.
The Vikings signed veteran running back Stevan Ridley to replace injured rookie Dalvin Cook, who tore the ACL in his left knee Sunday.
Ridley, the former Patriot, was in training camp with Denver this year but released during the final cuts before the regular season.
Forte in doubt
New York Jets running back Matt Forte remains sidelined with turf toe and a knee ailment, and could miss his second straight game.
Coach Todd Bowles said it would be unlikely Forte will play at Cleveland on Sunday if he doesn’t participate in practice today. Bilal Powell started in Forte’s place last weekend and ran for a career-high 163 yards in the Jets’ 23-20 win over Jacksonville . . . .
New York Giants defensive ends Jason Pierre-Paul and Olivier Vernon both missed their second straight practice, putting their availablity Sunday against the Chargers in doubt.
Vernon, who has never missed a game, aggravated a sprained ankle against the Buccaneers last week and missed the second half. Pierre-Paul hurt a shoulder early but never left the game.
The Giants will have a recovery day today and a final practice tomorrow. Pierre-Paul said he expects to practice tomorrow and play Sunday, while Vernon wouldn’t guarantee that he would play.
Jags’ Lee hurting
Jaguars receiver Marqise Lee missed a second consecutive practice, raising questions about his availability Sunday at Pittsburgh.
Lee injured ribs on the right side of his body when New York Jets linebacker Demario Davis tackled him in the fourth quarter last week . . . .
The Los Angeles Chargers have re-signed kicker Nick Novak, waiving rookie Younghoe Koo after just four games . . . .
The NFL is looking into a situation Monday night at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City during which Washington Redskins wide receiver Terrelle Pryor says he was called racist names and cursed at by a fan.
NFL spokesman Joe Lockhart said the league is looking into “all aspects” of Pryor’s claim and will report back when the review is complete.