If Matt McGloin leads the Oakland Raiders to the Super Bowl, don't expect Derek Carr to take back the reins in Houston.
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday that Carr is considered an extreme long shot to return for Super Bowl LI.
Carr underwent surgery on his broken fibula on Tuesday. Per Rapoport, the surgery went well and the quarterback is expected to make a full recovery, but with the Super Bowl six weeks away the timetable doesn't seem realistic.
Carr will try to be ready, but the Raiders likely won't push their franchise quarterback and risk having the 2017 season also disrupted by the unfortunate injury.
Oakland was a legit Super Bowl contender with Carr at the helm. While no team should eschew a present championship opportunity assuming more will come around the bend, with a young quarterback like Carr, taking the long view is important. After years and years of looking for a signal-caller, Oakland finally hit a home run with Carr. Any risk to 25-year-old's long-term future by pushing him back early would be taking a stroll down Folly Lane.
Of course, any chance Carr would have to play in the Super Bowl this season requires McGloin guiding the Raiders past the Patriots, Steelers, Chiefs, Dolphins and Texans. If he does, would you bench a streaking McGloin for a potentially hobbled Carr? Oh, what Super Bowl Week discourse that would make.
