X-rays on Raiders QB Carr negative after rib injury

Oakland Raiders rookie quarterback Derek Carr avoided a serious rib injury from a hard hit that knocked him out of an exhibition game against the Detroit Lions.

Coach Dennis Allen said Saturday that X-rays on Carr's ribs were negative and he is feeling much better than he did immediately after the injury.

Carr also suffered a concussion on the hard hit by Larry Webster on Friday night and must pass the league protocols before he is able to return to practice this week.

Carr played well in his second pro game, completing 9 of 16 passes for 109 yards and a touchdown, leading three scoring drives and committing no turnovers. He even got one series with the first-team offense.

"I did see a lot of improvement," Allen said. "I saw some improvement in his accuracy, I saw some improvement in his reads, I saw some improvement on his touch passes.

I think that's a positive sign. There's still obviously a lot of room for improvement and room for growth, but I did see him take a step forward from his first preseason game."

Despite the strong performance, Carr is not expected to get more time with the starters in the dress rehearsal game at Green Bay on Friday.

Matt Schaub, who had an up-and-down performance in the 27-26 win over Detroit, will get the bulk of that time as Oakland tries to get him ready for the season opener against the New York Jets on Sept. 7.

"Our game plan, probably, going in is to get some significant work for the 1s, because when you get into that fourth preseason game, they're probably not going to get as much work," Allen said. "I think we'll see a lot of Matt Schaub in this game."

Schaub threw a deflected interception to stop a promising first drive and then kept the ball only three plays before punting the next two times Oakland had the ball.

Schaub recovered to lead a TD drive with help from three Detroit penalties before leaving the game.

In seven drives this preseason, Schaub has led the Raiders to one score and has not completed a single pass more than 10 yards downfield.

On other injury news, safety Tyvon Branch has an ankle injury that is not serious, but might force him to miss a day or two of practice.

Backup safety Usama Young is expected to be activated off the physically unable to perform list this week after injuring his quadriceps in a conditioning drill before the start of training camp.

Second-year cornerback DJ Hayden is still not ready to return to practice from a stress fracture in his right foot. Hayden injured the foot in May and had surgery in late June.

Allen also said the team will likely sign a tight end this week after Nick Kasa tore the ACL in his left knee during a joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys last week. David Ausberry is also out with an injured left knee.