NFL: Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr undergoes surgery on broken fibula
THE Oakland Raiders will be counting on backup quarterback Matt McGloin in their first NFL playoff run since 2002 but Derek Carr is already on the road to recovery.
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THE Oakland Raiders will be counting on backup quarterback Matt McGloin in their first NFL playoff run since 2002 as Derek Carr recovers from a broken leg that required surgery.
“Surgery couldn’t have gone better!” Carr tweeted on Tuesday afternoon.
“Received great news! Already started the recovery process! Thank you for all of your prayers as I heal up!”
#Raiders QB Derek Carr, who underwent fibula surgery at LA’s Kerlan-Jobe, is considered an extreme long-shot for the Super Bowl. He will try
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 28, 2016
The Raiders had already secured a post-season berth when Carr broke his right fibula after he was sacked in a win over the Indianapolis Colts.
The team has offered only sketchy updates of Carr’s condition. But the injury expected to sideline Carr throughout the playoffs is a blow.
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“We’ll rally around the next guy as best we can,” Raiders coach Jack Del Rio said.
“That’s what you do. It will be incumbent upon the offensive line and backs to do more, the special teams to do more.
“As a team, pick it up and do more to fill in. Obviously, that’s a big setback.”
Carr’s surgeon Dr Robert Klapper added that the Oakland quarterback’s recovery could see him fit in time for Super Bowl 51 though, that is, if the Raiders get there.
If #RAIDERS make it to SUPERBOWL Don't Count him out! https://t.co/u6qGRcVrub
— Dr. Robert Klapper (@DrRobertKlapper) December 25, 2016
#CARR. Advantage of Surgery on tuesday is swelling in soft tissues further decreased!
— Dr. Robert Klapper (@DrRobertKlapper) December 26, 2016
#Raiders.In 1960 at 33yo #George Blanda was told he was Done!#Al Davis knew better!In 1970 Blanda at43 was MVP!#CARR Just Heal Baby!
— Dr. Robert Klapper (@DrRobertKlapper) December 28, 2016
Del Rio told reporters on Monday that he didn’t regret leaving Carr in the contest against the Colts, even with his team holding a commanding 33-14 lead.
“We felt we had to keep the pedal down on that opponent and that quarterback (Andrew Luck) in that game,” Del Rio said.
“You’re talking about a team facing elimination. We knew they were going to give everything they had to close the game any way they could.”
And even though they are playoff-bound, the Raiders have business to take care of as the regular season winds down.
They face the Denver Broncos on Sunday and, with a win, have a chance to capture the AFC West division title and a first-round bye. With a defeat, they could fall as low as the fifth seed.
“I’m ready to go,” McGloin said of the challenge of stepping in for Carr.
“I feel great. I know this team, these guys around me, this staff and this organisation will do a great job of helping me out, embracing me and making sure we keep moving in the right direction.”
#Raiders QB Derek Carr, who underwent fibula surgery at LA’s Kerlan-Jobe, is considered an extreme long-shot for the Super Bowl. He will try
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 28, 2016
McGloin, who completed a 19-yard pass to Amari Cooper to seal Saturday’s win, appeared in seven games and started six times as a rookie for the Raiders in 2013, and has since served as Carr’s backup.
Originally published as NFL: Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr undergoes surgery on broken fibula