ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Derek Carr is a bit of a risk-taker by nature when it comes to playing quarterback in the NFL. He isnt afraid of throwing a ball into coverage if he thinks his receiver has a good chance of winning a one-on-one battle with the opposing defender.While that approach sometimes frustrates quarterback coach Todd Downing and the rest of the coaching staff, he has their blessing to take some risks in the preseason and takes advantage of that.Sometimes I joke around a lot before, sometimes people are going to be mad at me for certain things in the preseason, you know? Carr said. Coach Downing always tells me, `Its a great opportunity to see what you can get away with. It really is. I take that, I guess, really to heart and do it.Carr gets his next chance to see what he can get away with when the Raiders host the Tennessee Titans on Saturday in the third exhibition game that will serve as the final dress rehearsal for the season opener.Carr and Oaklands first-team offense have not been particularly impressive the first two weeks, generating just two field goals in seven drives against Arizona and Green Bay.Carr is just 12 for 20 for 82 yards with one interception on the kind of chancy pass he doesnt regret this time of year. Last week against Green Bay, Carr threw a deep pass to Amari Cooper that was intercepted.Its things like the preseason that you can have those moments where its not a decision thats going to hurt us, but its a decision like if it works, its going to be a great thing for us, Carr said. If we can continue to build on that, you know, can that help us? And thats really all it is.Despite not putting up big numbers in the preseason, the Raiders are excited about the progress Carr is making in year three. He stepped in as a rookie and started all 16 games in a rough 2014. Oakland started that season 0-10 before winning three games and Carr averaged just 5.5 yards per attempt -- the second-lowest mark in team history.Carr took a big step forward last season when he threw for 32 touchdowns and 3,987 yards as Oakland improved to 7-9 behind an offense that was dynamic in the first half of the season before struggling late.Now with a second year in coordinator Bill Musgraves system and most of his skilled position players back, Carr is in even more command in 2016.So hes able to take it to the next level, take it to the graduate level from undergrad where he was last year and put his own spin on things, Musgrave said. He can solve the problems almost before the problems emerge there at the line of scrimmage. ... Weve definitely seen that day in and day out here in his second year.Game notesS Reggie Nelson, who has not practiced this week, is expected to miss the game with an undisclosed injury. ... Del Rio said he plans to play his starters for the first half and possibly into the third quarter. ... Undrafted rookie RB Jalen Richard, who has been impressive in practice, gets to play in a game for the first time after missing the past two weeks with an injury. Del Rio said he wants to see Richard and fellow rookie DeAndre Washington get some time with the first-team offensive line.---Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFLMatt Thomas Raptors Jersey . Kuznetsov, who was selected by the Capitals in the first round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, has been playing for his hometown team Chelyabinsk Traktor of the KHL. Norman Powell Jersey . -- In a span of seven Washington Redskins offensive plays, Justin Tuck sacked Robert Griffin III four times. https://www.raptorsrookiesshop.com/Jeremy-Lin-City-Edition-Jersey/ . "It doesnt get any better than that," Giambi said. "Im speechless." The Indians are roaring toward October. Giambi belted a two-run, pinch-hit homer with two outs in the ninth inning to give Cleveland a shocking 5-4 win over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night, keeping the Indians up with the lead pack in the AL wild-card race. Dewan Hernandez Raptors Jersey . The visitors took a deserved lead in the 16th minute with midfielder Yohan Cabaye curling the ball beyond Adrian from inside the penalty area. Malcolm Miller Jersey . -- New England Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis is retiring after a 16-year career to become the goalie coach for the Los Angeles Galaxy.ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- The Detroit Lions have waived former first-round pick Brandon Pettigrew, days after moving him from the physically unable to perform list to the non-football injury list.Pettigrew, who along with Matthew Stafford was a first-round pick for the Lions in 2009, had not played since tearing his ACL in December 2015. He spent all offseason rehabbing and initially was placed on the PUP list prior to training camp.He was activated to practice last month and had worked out for a couple of weeks before being moved to the NFI list earlier this week. When the Lions did that, they also cleaned out his corner locker and removed hhis nameplate.ddddddddddddWe made a decision on him, Lions coach Jim Caldwell said earlier this week. I think its been reported, and thats about all were going to say on it. We made our decision, which was best for us.Caldwell would not say what injury prompted the Lions to move him to the NFI list or why his locker initially was cleaned out -- but it became clear he was no longer part of the plan in Detroit.Pettigrew played 93 career games for Detroit, making 301 receptions for 2,965 yards and 17 touchdowns. ' ' '
