Raiders' Penn: Carr says he's close to '100 percent'
Derek Carr's 2016 season didn't end the way he or the Oakland Raiders were hoping for, but with the official league year beginning in March, the 25-year-old looks to be on track for a bounce back in 2017.
After missing his team's regular-season finale and playoff appearance with a broken fibula, Carr has been telling those close to him that he is almost ready to compete again.
"I texted Derek two days ago and asked how he was doing, checking in, and he said 'I'm almost 100 percent,'" Raiders left tackle Donald Penn told NFL Network on Tuesday.
Carr has been in recovery for just two months, and had previously teased the idea that he could have been ready for the Super Bowl if his team had managed to get to the big game without him.
The quarterback's older brother David, who works as an analyst for NFL Network, doubled down on Penn's proclamation, stating Carr will be ready for the Raiders' full offseason program this spring.
"I tell you guys he's 100 percent but you don't believe me, you have to ask Donald," said the elder Carr. "He's going to be great. He's good. Walking around already, stretching it out. He can't do a lot for the bone, but he's going to be back.
"He'll get a whole full offseason in, and that's going to be the best part."