NFL sorry for incorrect, costly slide call on QB Carr
Jon Gruden said the NFL apologized for a missed call in a key moment of the Raiders’ 2016 loss to the Jaguars on Sunday.
With the Raiders holding a late 1613 lead, quarterback Derek Carr ran for a first down and slid as he neared the sideline to stay in bounds. Officials, though, ruled Carr had slid out of bounds, stopping the clock with 2:05 left.
It forced the Raiders to run another play before the twominute warning and preserved the last timeout for the Jaguars, who got the ball back with 1:44 remaining and drove for a touchdown.
On Monday, Gruden said NFL head of officiating Al Riveron had called to apologize for the error.
“We accept the apology,” Gruden said, “but Derek was in bounds and that play cost us dearly.”
Gruden said he remained “obviously very upset” about the ruling a day after the Raiders’ loss in their likely final game at the Oakland Coliseum.
“They stopped the game at Indianapolis and took my middle linebacker (Vontaze Burfict) away for 12 weeks,” Gruden said. “They stopped the game in Kansas City and took (Trayvon) Mullen’s interception away. Why the hell don’t you stop the game and get the clock right?
“I don’t think it was even close. So I’m not happy about it. Apologies are great. But this is 2020 … I don’t want any instant replay in my life, personally.
But if we’re going to have it, let’s use it properly. I don’t think it’s that hard.”
Jacobs sore: Running back Josh Jacobs recorded 24 carries for 89 yards after a onegame absence for an ongoing shoulder injury. Asked how Jacobs came out of the game, Gruden said: “Not real good.”
“He had a hard time getting his shoulder pads off yesterday,” Gruden said.
Jacobs originally sustained the injury, which he has said is a fracture, in Week 7. He was inactive against the Titans on Dec. 8 before returning for Sunday’s loss.
“This guy is one tough customer,” Gruden said. “He gave us everything he had yesterday. But his status for the coming weeks will be in question.”
On Carlson: Kicker Daniel Carlson made 3of4 fieldgoal attempts Sunday but missed a 45yard try late in the fourth quarter. Carlson, who set the franchise record for fieldgoal percentage (94.1) as a rookie last season, has missed seven kicks (five field goals, two extra points) in his past seven games. Gruden was asked whether the Raiders would explore bringing in another kicker.
“No, we’re going to see this kid kick himself out of it,” Gruden said. “This is a great kid. He’s got a great amount of talent. I saw him hit 15 in a row last year. I’ve got a lot of faith in this guy.”
Playoff scenario: At 68, the Raiders have not been eliminated from the playoff race. To have a chance, the Raiders need to win their final two games and have the Steelers (86), Titans (86) and Colts (68) all finish 88. If all four teams finish 88, the Raiders could win a multiteam tiebreaker based on strength of schedule.
Matt Kawahara is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer.