Derek Carr has back injury, will miss 2-6 weeks

Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr left a Week 4 game Sunday after a sack by Denver Broncos defensive lineman Adam Gotsis appeared to injure Carr’s back and eventually sent him to the locker room.

Carr had back spasms and soreness, and was initially expected to be OK, according to the NFL Network. But Jack Del Rio announced Monday that the quarterback’s injury was a little more severe than just soreness.

The Raiders announced the quarterback has a transverse process fracture — the same injury that sidelined Tony Romo in 2016 — and will miss two to six weeks.

Gotsis landed on Carr and the lineman’s knee hit the quarterback in the back. Carr laid on the ground for a while before gingerly walking off the field and getting checked in the medical tent on the sideline.

At the time of Carr’s departure, the Raiders trailed the Broncos 16-7 and the quarterback had 143 passing yards and one touchdown. He was replaced in the game by former Bills first-round pick EJ Manuel.

What does this mean for the Raiders? When Carr was injured last year, a promising season for the Raiders quickly circled the drain. Matt McGloin and Connor Cook struggled in his place and Oakland was bounced from the playoffs right away with a 27-14 loss to the Texans, despite finishing with a 12-4 record.

While Manuel is a different option in 2017, he’s still not a good one, and the Raiders are in bad shape if Carr isn’t ready to roll.

Manuel started 17 games over four seasons in Buffalo and compiled a 6-11 record with 19 touchdowns, 15 interceptions, and a 77.5 passer rating.

Oakland hosts the Ravens next Sunday. It wouldn’t be the worst game to lean on Manuel against the struggling Ravens.