Carr trying to get ready, healthy for Dolphins
The first time Derek Carr talked with Jon Gruden after the latter was named head coach in 2018 included the following request:
“You have to be available.”
Carr’s response, as he recounted Tuesday during a video conference, came in two words: “Yes sir.” So it comes as no surprise that Carr, who left last week’s 30-27 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Chargers with a significant groin strain, is working toward starting Saturday night when the Raiders (7-7) host the Miami Dolphins (9-5) at Allegiant Stadium.
Carr, with no media present, took practice snaps along with Marcus Mariota, who played well in the loss to the Chargers. If
Carr can’t play, Mariota will start his first game since Oct. 13 of last season for the Tennessee Titans.
The actual decision will come from Gruden and the Raiders medical staff, who must take into account Carr’s ability to throw the ball accurately, escape trouble if necessary and protect
himself from further injury.
“He’s one of the premiere competitors in this league,” Gruden said. “We emphasize the word finish, and he wants to finish the job. We’re going to be smart. We’ve got a training staff here, we listen to our players. We’ll do what we think is right for Derek. I do admire his toughness and his will to compete.”
In reality, Carr was available well before Gruden came back in 2018. He missed exactly two games in five seasons — one with a broken fibula in the 2016 season finale and one with three fractures in his back in 2017. He’s played with a broken pinkie on his throwing hand. Carr made every start in 2018 under Gruden despite being sacked 51 times and has started 46 straight games with Gruden as head coach.
Carr’s durability record is unassailable. Which makes one wonder whether Carr would shade his answers on how he’s actually feeling in order to get back on the field where discretion might be the better option.
“You can always trust me,” Carr said. “I think the best part of my game is my mind and that’s still working. I think the coaches and our trainers will make the right decision. I’ve been completely honest with them the whole time, and they’ve seen it first hand. I’ve been in here every day we’ve been allowed to to get treatment, and I want everybody watching me so they know exactly how I feel. We’ll see how it goes. If it’s up to me, I’m going to do everything I can to be on that field.”
In describing the injury that led to his departure against the Chargers, Carr compared it to the way he felt when he broke his leg on Christmas Eve in 2016 with the Raiders headed to the playoffs.
After a three- and- out and a field goal drive, Carr felt the Raiders were on the verge of something big offensively. His groin injury last week happened when Carr was rolling to his right on third-and-goal from the 2, hoping for a path to the end zone. Instead, he pulled up in pain for a 2-yard loss.
“Nothing I could do,” Carr said. “I went to sprint to the end zone, and it just went. I had to sit there and watch. My heart was ripped out of my chest.” By the time Carr came back on the field, he was no longer in uniform. He was part assistant coach, part cheerleader, giving all the support he could as Gruden changed his offensive game plan on the fly to suit Mariota’s skills as a passer-runner.
“Everything he did throughout the game on the sideline, keeping everybody engaged, says a lot about who he is,” Mariota said afterward. “This is Derek’s team.”
Carr had an up close look at how Mariota struggled with the rehab of various injuries before finally being healthy enough to activate a month ago, as well as
the quarterback’s loss of confidence after losing his job to Ryan Tannehill with the Titans.
“I didn’t want to get hurt for it to happen, but I was just happy to see him play and have success,” Carr said. “He had a long year with things that happened in Tennessee and with injuries, and I saw it in his face every day. He just kept grinding. This game is tough and sometimes you go through things. To see him get the chance to lead our team, it was awesome. I was really happy for him.”
Carr said the push to finish the season will impart a lesson to his three sons (and presumably his newborn daughter) on never giving up and playing with maximum effort. Not to mention heeding Gruden’s availability demand.
“I’ve done everything in my power to make myself available this week, and I’m going to continue to do my best because I promised him I’d do that,” Carr said. “That’s just who I am. It may not always be perfect, but they’re going to know what I left. I gave it everything I had, that’s for sure.”
SORTING THROUGH THE RUBBLE OF INJURY AND ILLNESS » The Raiders may get some reinforcements against Miami as the following players practiced who were not available against the Chargers:
Safety Johnathan Abram: Was limited in practice and working his way through concussion protocol.
Cornerback Damon Arnette: Missed the last two games in concussion protocol after leaving early in the Jets game after a collision with Frank Gore.
Linebacker Nicholas Morrow: Missed his first game of the season against the Chargers after being diagnosed with a concussion after the Indianapolis loss.
Defensive tackle Maliek Collins: Given the OK to practice Tuesday after missing three games on injured reserve with a shoulder injury.
ide receiver Hunter Renfrow: Limited in practice and in concussion protocol after being hit in the head on a punt return against the Chargers.
Defensive end Clein Ferrell, meanwhile, was not well enough to practice after missing the Chargers game with a shoulder injury. Gruden said he hoped Takk McKinley, a waiver claim, shows enough during practice this week to make his debut.
Four players are on the COVID-19 list — safety Erik Harris, cornerback Isaiah Johnson, cornerback Daryl Worley and wide receiver Henry Ruggs III. Ruggs’ availability will be determined later this week, while the others aren’t expected to face Miami.
HUDSON WINS RAIDERS AWARD FOR FOURTH STRAIGHT YEAR » Center Rodney Hudson became the first Raiders player to win the Commitment to Excellence Award four straight seasons. The honor is bestowed by player vote to the Raider who best exemplifies hard work, leadership, and excellence on and off the field throughout the season.