DEREK CARR HAS TRANSVERSE PROCESS FRACTURE IN BACKDEREK CARR HAS TRANSVERSE PROCESS FRACTURE IN BACK

Derek Carr's return to action is on hold.

Raiders coach Jack Del Rio told reporters Monday that his star quarterback is dealing with a transverse process fracture in his back.

"There's a real good chance he'll miss this week," Del Rio said of Carr's status for Sunday's clash with the Ravens, noting that the signal-caller's time on the shelf "could be as short as two weeks."

A back injury of this nature typically comes with a two-to-six-week recovery period. It's worth noting this is the same injury that plagued Tony Romo with the Cowboys back in 2014.

Carr left Sunday's 16-10 loss Denver during the third quarter after being hit by a pair of Broncos defenders on his way to the ground. After a visit to the medical tent, the fourth-year starter walked to the locker room and did not return.

"I tried to come in here and have them work on it. I tried to throw and all those kind of things and it just wasn't ready yet," Carr told reporters after the game. "I tried to do anything I could to be back out there. I just couldn't."

Carr's absence in Week 5 would tee up former Bills first-round pick EJ Manuel to face the Ravens after going 11 of 17 for 106 yards with a pick in his relief effort against Denver.

It's a thorny development for a Raiders team sitting at 2-2 after a pair of concerning performances on offense. Marshawn Lynch has been up-and-down on the ground and Michael Crabtree missed Week 4 with an injury, while fellow receiver Amari Cooper was held in check all day.

Carr's return can't come soon with the Raiders set to play the Chargers in Week 6 and Chiefs in Week 7, two division rivals, before squaring off with the upstart Bills. It's not clear -- not yet -- if he'll be available for any of those contests.