ALAMEDA – Raiders quarterback Derek Carr dislocated his right pinky finger in two places, information relayed by his brother and NFL Network analyst David Carr said on Monday afternoon.
That generally isn’t a good thing, but Carr was able to snap his finger back in place, return after missing just one series and lead his Raiders to a 35-32 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday afternoon.
X-rays showed Carr’s finger wasn’t broken, a positive development following a botched snap that mangled his smallest digit.
The Raiders believe Carr will be fine moving forward, which is great news for a team so dependent on its quarterback.
“I’m not a medical guy, but I know he banged it pretty good,” Del Rio said. He went in and made sure it wasn’t broken. He was able to return. …
“I think he’s going to be okay. He was able to come back and finish (the game). I think he’s going to be fine.”
David Carr also said his brother’s throwing motion, which comes straight over the top, doesn’t require much from his pinky finger.
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“He can almost hold the ball and float that pinky,” David Carr said on NFL Network. “It’s almost useless. It still hurts. There’s pain there, and he had to get used to it.”
Carr hasn’t worn a glove on his throwing hand during games, but used one upon return to Sunday’s game for added support.
The Raiders were unsure of how he would play after coming back to the game, but Carr calmed fears on his first play back. He threw a 17-yard laser to tight end Clive Walford that relieved sideline stress.
“We were wondering how it was going to go when he first got back out there,” Del Rio said. “But he settled in and fired away.”
Derek Carr said on Sunday night that he expects to practice during the week and play next week against the Buffalo Bills.
