The Oakland Raiders have Derek Carr on the sidelines for OTA workouts and the team hopes he is back for minicamp and training camp and this comes as players like Trent Richardson, Latavius Murray and Roy Helu are nettling to start alongside Amari Cooper, while rookie Clive Walford has been impressive behind Mychal Rivera.
The Raiders have Carr working out on the side for OTA practices this month, as he is dealing with a hand injury. According to CSN Bay Area, Carr does not need surgery, but he has not yet been able to take part in full team practices. Carr has not been working in individual drills, but reports have him throwing and taking snaps from under center.
Carr's hand did not need surgery, but missing time in OTAs is tough with the team adding so many new players. According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, Carr will be ready fort minicamp, as he has been cleared to throw after dealing with a finger injury.
Carr wants to develop chemistry with Amari Cooper, who was the number four overall pick in the NFL draft. Carr will get his chance in training camp and so far all reports have Cooper excelling with the team. Cooper is expected to be the number one receiver ahead of Michael Crabtree, while Rod Streater likely will be one of the slot men for the Raiders. The team signed Trent Richardson and Roy Helu this offseason and now those players are battling to get into the starting lineup.
According to Bill Williamson at ESPN.com, Murray has the inside track to the starting job, as Richardson has a lot to prove after his time in Indy. Helu likely will be more of a third down back and receiver for the team. Williamson later reported that Carr was held out for the "longer passing drills" and the team is hoping that he can be ready to go in July for training camp. There were reports that Carr might need surgery, but his agent came out to refute that news.
The Raiders let Darren McFadden walk in free agency and they feel that a combination of Murray and Richardson can replace him. Murray comes in after rushing for 424 yards and two touchdowns last season and that came after he missed his rookie season with an injury. Cooper is coming in and will start right away, as he had a standout career at Alabama and looks like he can play in the NFL already. Cooper had 124 catches last season for 1727 yards and 16 touchdowns and he looked great in rookie camp.
With Carr dealing with a hand injury and that could leave Christian Ponder and Matt McGloin as the main starters for workouts. Ponder was signed in the offseason and he could have the inside edge over McGloin, but McGloin has starting experience with the Raiders. Cooper is going to be a starter and any time Carr misses working with him will have to be made up for over training camp for the Raiders, but he is expected to be 100 percent by the summer.