NFL locals notebook: Former Fresno State teammates Derek Carr, Davante Adams enjoy NFL reunion

Leading up to last weekend’s game, Derek Carr of the Raiders and Davante Adams of the Packers exchanged texts to let each other know how much they were looking forward to the reunion and hoping for the best – but just not against their teams.

In the end, the former Fresno State stars enjoyed their short time together, as Green Bay defeated Oakland 30-20 on a rainy Sunday at O.co Coliseum.

Carr completed 23 of 47 passes for 276 yards and two touchdowns, but the second-year quarterback also had two costly interceptions that turned into touchdowns in the first quarter. The first led to a John Kuhn rushing touchdown, and the second was a pick six by Damarious Randall.

Adams finished with five receptions for 32 yards and was targeted eight times by Aaron Rodgers.

Both were second-round picks in the 2014 draft, with Carr going No. 36 overall and Adams No. 53.

They met on the field before the game. After the game, they met again at midfield to wish each other the best.

“It’s crazy, he’s one of my best friends, and he always will be,” Carr said. “We were texting back and forth all week and having fun with it because obviously we’re both going to stop playing this game at some time and we’re just going to be friends that don’t play football.”

Adams said he likes the direction the Raiders are headed, led by his former teammate.

“I’ve talked to him once every two weeks,” Adams said. “I try to keep up with him, and it is good to see that he is having a great year. I’m happy for him. They have been doing pretty good over there in Oakland. It is great to see him doing big things.”

If both remain on their teams, they won’t meet in another regular-season game until 2019.

“It was cool to see him,” Carr said. “I wish him the best, obviously not today, but it was really good to see him.”

Carr has 30 touchdown passes this season and 51 in his career, making him the fifth NFL quarterback with 50 in his first two seasons. He ranks fourth in passing touchdowns by a player in his first two seasons, trailing Dan Marino (68), Peyton Manning (52) and Russell Wilson (52).

Carr is the second Raider with 30 touchdown passes in a season, joining former Clovis High star Daryle Lamonica (30 in 1967 and a team-record 34 in 1969).

Carr broke the franchise record for games with multiple touchdown passes (11) and is the third NFL player with at least 17 games with multiple touchdown passes through his first two seasons, joining Marino (22) and Carson Palmer (17).

Et cetera – Carolina linebacker Ben Jacobs (Fresno State) had a special-teams tackle in the Panthers’ 38-35 win over the New York Giants.

▪ Philadelphia running back Ryan Mathews (Fresno State) rushed 11 times for 58 yards in a 40-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. He also had a reception for three yards. Seyi Ajirotutu (Fresno State) had two special-teams tackles, while linebacker Mychal Kendricks (Hoover High) totaled a team-leading 11 tackles for the Eagles.

▪ Cincinnati safety Derron Smith (Fresno State) didn’t record a tackle as the Bengals downed the 49ers 24-14.

▪ Cleveland receiver Marlon Moore (Fresno State) had a reception for 20 yards in a 30-13 loss at Seattle. Seahawks tight end Anthony McCoy (Bullard High) was inactive.

▪ New Orleans rookie defensive tackle Tyeler Davison (Fresno State) made his fifth start and had a tackle in the Saints’ 35-27 loss to the Detroit Lions.

▪ Pittsburgh safety Robert Golden (Edison High) had a tackle for a loss and a pass deflection in the Steelers’ 34-27 victory over Denver. Broncos tight end Virgil Green (Tulare High) had a special-teams tackle.

▪ Minnesota Vikings rookie inside linebacker Eric Kendricks (Hoover) had six tackles in a 38-17 victory over the Chicago Bears.

▪ San Diego right guard Kenny Wiggins (Fresno State) played in the Chargers’ 30-14 victory over the Miami Dolphins in what could be the team’s final game at Qualcomm Stadium.

▪ St. Louis Rams rookie right guard Cody Wichmann (Fresno State) made his fifth consecutive start in a 31-23 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Logan Mankins (Fresno State) started for Tampa Bay at left guard. The former Bulldogs met after the game. “It was great,” Wichmann said. “That was a big moment for me. It was short and sweet.”

▪ Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Steven Nelson (College of the Sequoias) had a special-teams tackle in a 34-14 victory over the Baltimore Ravens.

▪ Jets defensive end Sheldon Richardson (COS) had three tackles and a half sack in New York’s 19-16 victory at Dallas. Cowboys fullback Tyler Clutts (Clovis High/Fresno State) didn’t record a stat.

▪ The Washington Redskins signed former Fresno State tight end Marcel Jensen to the 53-man active roster. Jensen was previously on the Buffalo Bills’ practice squad.

▪ The Ravens signed linebacker Chris Carter (Fresno State) after he was let go by the Cincinnati Bengals last week.

This story was originally published December 23, 2015 at 5:31 PM with the headline "NFL locals notebook: Former Fresno State teammates Derek Carr, Davante Adams enjoy NFL reunion."