Derek Carr’s recovery expected to be 6-8 weeks after surgery on fractured fibula

Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr will have surgery after fracturing his fibula in a Week 16 victory against the Indianapolis Colts, but ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that recovery from the injury is expected to take just 6-8 weeks.

While it certainly seems like a long shot, that sets the table for some high drama if the Raiders advance to the Super Bowl, which will be played six weeks and one day after Carr suffered the fracture.

Early in the fourth quarter on Saturday, Colts linebacker Trent Cole tackled Carr by his legs for a sack.

Immediately after the sack, the young quarterback laid on the ground and was in a lot of pain. He grabbed his right leg and could not get up off the ground.

Trainers came on to help Carr off the field, and he did not return for the rest of the game. He finished with 228 passing yards and three touchdowns. Raiders backup quarterback Matt McGloin relieved Carr and threw for 29 yards.

Following the game, Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio said Carr’s injury was a big setback.

“Teams have to find a way to pick up and move on. We’ll rally around the next guy as best we can. That’s what you do. It’ll be incumbent on the offensive line and the backs to do more. The defense 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.”

No one could have voiced their frustrations more than Raiders left tackle Donald Penn. Cole was Penn’s assignment on the play.

“I wish I had that play back. I’ve been great all year; I slip up on one play. I’m mad at myself. I’ll be good tomorrow, but I’m mad at myself. I wish there was something else I could do. I’ve never had a quarterback get hurt in my career. I’m upset right now.”

Carr has been having an MVP-like season for Oakland. He has been making a lot of great throws from the pocket and avoiding turnovers. The young signal-caller also took on a leadership role with the team.

He has thrown for 3,933 yards to go along with 28 touchdowns and six interceptions. Carr also has a 96.7 passer rating on the season.

At 12-3, the Raiders are in first place in the AFC West and are the No. 2 seed in the AFC. Oakland has a Week 17 matchup against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field.

If the Raiders want to win the AFC West and hold on to the No. 2 seed, they must defeat the Broncos. The Kansas City Chiefs, who are 11-4, are only one game back from Oakland.

If the Raiders lose and Chiefs win, Kansas City will win the AFC West and clinch the No. 2 seed. Oakland has to run the ball to take the pressure off McGloin. McGloin has to make some plays and avoid turnovers.

Defensively, the Raiders have to create turnovers to put the offense in perfect positions to score.

But if the perfect storm results in a run to Super Bowl LI, there’s apparently still a chance that the team’s young star quarterback could make an unlikely return.