Raiders report: Former QB won’t face team in New Orleans on Sunday

Quarterback Derek Carr will not play for the Saints on Sunday when they host his former team, the Raiders, at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.

Carr (left hand) was listed as out on the Saints’ injury report Friday. He’s missed New Orleans’ past two games and didn’t practice this week.

Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said earlier in the day he hoped to see Carr on the field.

“I’ve known Derek for a long time,” said Pierce, who played with Carr’s older brother David with the Giants. “Known that family for a long time. Lot of respect for Derek as a pro, as a man, as a person. Wish him all the best, and if we see him, that’s even better.”

Pierce, however, said his team hadn’t spent a whole lot of time discussing the potential reunion with its former franchise quarterback.

There’s been plenty of turnover in the locker room since Carr was released following the 2022 campaign after nine seasons with the organization.

“This isn’t the same team here,” Pierce said. “So, to be honest, it hasn’t been talked about.”

Saints running back Alvin Kamara will also miss the game with a groin injury. New Orleans offensive linemen Erik McCoy (elbow) and Lucas Patrick (knee) are out as well.

Carr, by missing Sunday’s game, will avoid the possibility of being the first quarterback in NFL history to lose to all 32 teams.

Rookie fifth-round pick Spencer Rattler started the Saints’ last game, a 34-0 loss to the Packers on Monday. Jake Haener has also started for New Orleans this season.

Back in the saddle

Starting left guard Jordan Meredith will miss his second consecutive game with an ankle injury Sunday. That clears the way for Andre James to get another start at center for the Raiders.

Rookie Jackson Powers-Johnson, who started six games at center this season, will return to left guard for the second straight week.

“It’s definitely a challenge for sure,” Powers-Johnson said of switching back and forth. “You kind of want continuity, but things happen and this is why I was drafted to play multiple positions and do whatever I can for the team and our line. So yeah, it’s difficult, but it’s also a fun challenge.”

The experience at center should help Powers-Johnson, who likely still projects best at that position long-term.

“And playing next to (James) is super fun, too,” Powers-Johnson said. “I love how he plays and how he communicates. I’ve learned a lot from him and I try to emulate a lot of that when I’m in the (center) position. And at the same time I have picked up some things where I can try to help him when looks get hard. It’s awesome and I get a lot from it.”

James was happy to be on the field again last week after not playing an offensive snap for six games. He started the Raiders’ first eight games before suffering an ankle injury.

“Obviously (I) got hurt so it’s been a minute, but (I) felt better as the game went on,” James said. “I thought the guys played well and with a lot of effort. It was fun.”

James had been healthy for several weeks, but the Raiders chose to go with Powers-Johnson at center. Pierce still praised the communication James provided as a veteran when he got back on the field.

“Obviously, (James) is who I played with all last year and so we have a lot of reps with him that we’ve banked over the last couple years,” quarterback Aidan O’Connell said. “And so it was fun to communicate with him again, obviously in a different way and in a different offense, but yeah, definitely love having Andre back. He’s a great player for us.”

Ramping up

A return home could be the perfect time for Louisiana native and LSU alum Terrace Marshall Jr. to have his breakout game with the Raiders.

The 24-year-old wide receiver has gotten more and more snaps the past three weeks, which shows he’s earning the trust of the coaching staff.

“I most definitely feel like I’m getting more and more involved and feeling more and more comfortable,” Marshall said. “I’m so grateful for this organization taking me in and accepting me from (the first day) that I got here. I’m just looking forward to the future and taking it one day at a time.”

Marshall, who was signed to the Raiders’ practice squad Oct. 22 and promoted to the active roster Nov. 28, has just two catches this season. But it seems like only a matter of time before the 2021 second-round pick by the Panthers starts contributing more.

“Just two games left, so hopefully it’s coming,” Marshall said. “But I’m just keeping my head down grinding and when the ball comes my way, I’ll be ready. I just focus on running every route to win.

“I came here a bit late in the season. The year kind of started off tough for me, but I’m here now and blessed to be a part of it, so I’m just trying to take advantage of whatever opportunities are presented.”

Interim offensive coordinator Scott Turner said Marshall was open for a big third-down conversion during last week’s win against the Jaguars, but O’Connell’s pass was batted down at the line of scrimmage.

”He was exactly where he’s supposed to be and he probably would have got some yards after catch, too,” Turner said. “But he’s been great. Always has a positive attitude, working really hard, and he’s just grateful for the opportunity.”

Marshall said it would be nice if his breakout game happens this week in his home state.

“I’ll have a lot of family coming to watch so hopefully I can make some plays, just put on a show for them and come out with a win,” Marshall said.

Injury report

The Raiders put out one of their shortest injury reports of the season Friday.

Meredith is out, but the only other players that weren’t full participants in the team’s last practice of the week were cornerback Nate Hobbs (illness) and running back Dylan Laube (illness). Hobbs and Laube aren’t believed to be in any danger of missing Sunday’s game.

Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on X.