Derek Carr injury update: Raiders QB says dislocated pinky is ‘great’

Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr channeled Bill Belichick in a press conference to discuss his injured pinky finger on Wednesday.

The Oakland Raiders are expecting to have Derek Carr under center on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills, even if the young star quarterback didn’t have much to say about the injury on Wednesday afternoon

Carr responded to every question about the pinky at a news conference with “it’s great, thanks for asking,” according to Kevin Patra of NFL.com.

Judging by how gruesome the injury originally looked, “great” probably wouldn’t be the word most people would think of. Carr was removed in the third quarter of last Sunday’s win over the Carolina Panthers after mishandling a snap, with video later showing his little finger out of place.

The third-year star reportedly dislocated his pinky in two different places and was in obvious pain before heading to the locker room to get the finger reset. Carr returned a short while later with a glove on his throwing hand and led a come-from-behind effort to beat the Panthers 35-32.

Backup Matt McGloin, who briefly started for the Raiders back in 2013, only attempted one pass when Carr was out. Given that Carr was able to return to that game so quickly, all indications are that he will play on Sunday, but will certainly have to manage some pain.

The 9-2 Raiders will need Carr at full strength to earn home-field advantage in the playoffs over the New England Patriots or even to hold off a strong Kansas City Chiefs team in the AFC West. This Sunday will not be an easy matchup against a Bills team that will be desperate for a win to remain in the playoff race.

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Carr has thrown for over 3,100 yards and 22 touchdowns to just five interceptions this year to lead the potent Raiders offense and is in the thick of the MVP conversation.