Raiders QB Derek Carr Sits Out OTAs With Unknown Injury

The Oakland Raiders commenced Phase III of their offseason workouts on Tuesday, but one important player did not participate—quarterback Derek Carr. CSN Bay Area’s Scott Bair reports that Carr was on the practice field but was not wearing a helmet or cleats.

It is unclear what type of injury Carr is working through. NFL teams are not required to disclose player injuries this time of year and Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio also chose not to voluntarily provide that information to the media. Del Rio, though, did not appear concerned about Carr, a sign that whatever is ailing him is likely not that serious.

Del Rio said, “Time missed in May is better than time missed in September. You’re often more capable of taking whatever time is necessary to make sure you put things behind you.” What that thing is—and when it will be behind Carr—is not known and Del Rio would not elaborate further.

Bair reports that Carr has likely missed the past week of on-field work “at least,” but has been at the Raiders’ practice facility while he rehabilitates. With Carr on the sideline, backup quarterback Christian Ponder took all the reps with the first-team offense on Tuesday. Matt McGloin and Cody Fajardo worked with the twos and threes.

Carr, a second-round draft pick in 2014, started all 16 games for the Raiders as a rookie. He completed 348 of his 599 pass attempts, for 3,270 yards, 21 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Despite solid play out of a first-year quarterback, the Raiders could not provide him much help; Oakland went 3-13 in 2014.

Update: ESPN’s Chris Mortensen was able to get clarification on Carr’s injury, with a source reporting to him that Carr has a finger injury that “may require surgery.” If Carr does undergo surgery, Carr is not likely to be participating in any of the Raiders’ remaining OTAs, but his availability for training camp this summer should not be affected.