The Sports Xchange

ALAMEDA, Calif. — Slowly but surely, quarterback Derek Carr appears to be making his way back to the field for the Oakland Raiders.

The second-year quarterback threw a few short passes to running backs during drills but was a spectator during live team sessions at OTAs on Tuesday. Two weeks ago, Carr didn’t practice at all, and last week he took a few snaps but restricted his activities to handoffs and pitchouts.

Carr has an injured ring finger on his right hand, according to ESPN, but neither Carr nor the team has confirmed that. Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio said it is club policy not to discuss injuries during the offseason with regard to nature, severity or a timetable on when an athlete might return.

A mention of possible surgery on the initial ESPN report was denied by Carr’s camp, which maintains the quarterback will be ready for training camp. It remains to be seen whether Carr will do much throwing at the Raiders’ mandatory minicamp June 9-11.

“We’ll do what we can, when we can,” Del Rio said. “He’s doing well right now.”

By being unable to throw, Carr has been denied the chance to develop timing with a new offense that features new receivers in first-round draft pick Amari Cooper and free-agent acquisition Michael Crabtree.

Carr’s knowledge of the system being installed by offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave does not appear to be an issue.

“I have no concern at all,” Raiders left tackle Donald Penn said. “Derek knows this offense almost as good as the offensive coordinator. Derek is still the first person here in the morning. He has a good grasp of the offense. He needs to do what he’s doing — take his time.

“You don’t win games right now. He’ll be ready when he’s ready. I tell him that all the time. There’s no rush.”

A 16-game starter as a rookie, Carr completed 348 of 599 attempts for 3,270 yards, 21 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He was sacked 24 times.

In Carr’s absence, free-agent signee Christian Ponder is working with the first-team offense, backed up by third-year quarterback Matt McGloin and undrafted free agent Cody Fajardo of Nevada.