NFL locals roundup: Derek Carr, Davante Adams await reunion in Oakland

It has been a while since Raiders quarterback Derek Carr and Green Bay receiver Davante Adams have been on the same field. For one day, the former Fresno State stars will reunite.

The Raiders (6-7) host the Packers (9-4) at 1:05 p.m. Sunday at O.co Coliseum.

Carr and Adams last played as college teammates Dec. 21, 2013, at the Las Vegas Bowl – a 45-20 loss to USC. It capped a two-year run as one of the elite pass-and-catch duos in the nation.

Adams and Carr appeared in 26 games together, resulting in staggering numbers. Adams caught 233 passes for 3,030 yards and 38 touchdowns from Carr. In just two seasons, Adams set school career records for receptions and TD catches.

In college, Carr used to chat amiably with Adams, often about NFL quarterbacks such as Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers and the shared dreams the Bulldogs teammates had of one day playing in the pros. But that friendly talk has stopped.

“Not anymore. Now that we’re competitors, I don’t,” Carr said Wednesday. “But when I was young, looking up into the NFL, I was like, ‘Man, I want to do that,’ and things like that. No, I just talked trash to Davante this week.”

Also stealing his focus away from the reunion is Carr’s role in helping the team stay alive for the playoffs. The Raiders have to win their final three games and get some help.

Carr and the Raiders last week, on the road, toppled a Denver Broncos team that entered 10-2. Oakland won 15-12, with Carr throwing two second-half touchdown passes, giving him 28 on the season to tie Rich Gannon (2000) for fourth most in franchise history.

The Packers, meanwhile, are in line for their seventh consecutive postseason berth, which would be a franchise record. Adams hasn’t quite had the breakthrough season many forecast, but did get his first touchdown catch of the season two weeks ago against Detroit in a 27-23 victory.

Adams, who missed three weeks early this season because of an ankle injury, has 38 receptions for 355 yards. He had 12 yards on two receptions in last week’s 28-7 victory over Dallas.

The Palo Alto native said he will have family and friends on hand and is looking forward to seeing his former quarterback.

“I’m going to have a lot of fans there,” he said. “He’s going to have his whole fan base there and it’s going to be good to be reunited once again. It’s going to be a good reunion.”

Et cetera – Carolina linebacker Ben Jacobs (Fresno State) was credited with three tackles on defense and one on special teams, helping the Panthers remain undefeated in a 38-0 victory over Atlanta.

▪ Pittsburgh safety Robert Golden (Edison) recorded his first career interception in a 33-20 victory over Cincinnati. He finished with two tackles. Bengals rookie safety Derron Smith (Fresno State), on special teams, was not credited with a tackle; former Bulldogs teammate Chris Carter had one. Carter cleared waivers Wednesday.

▪ Minnesota middle linebacker Eric Kendricks (Hoover) finished with eight tackles, but the Vikings lost 23-20 to Arizona.

▪ New Orleans rookie left defensive tackle Tyeler Davison (Fresno State) made his fourth start and finished with two tackles, including one for a loss, in a 24-17 victory over Tampa Bay. Buccaneers left guard Logan Mankins (Fresno State) made his 158th career start.

▪ Philadelphia running back Ryan Mathews (Fresno State) had 13 carries for 38 yards and two receptions for 4 yards in a 23-20 victory over Buffalo. Eagles receiver Seyi Ajirotutu (Fresno State) was targeted once and didn’t have a reception; inside linebacker Mychal Kendricks (Hoover) had eight tackles, including one for a loss.

▪ Cleveland receiver Marlon Moore (Fresno State) had two receptions for 23 yards while being targeted three times in a 24-10 victory over San Francisco.

▪ New York Jets defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson (Sequoias) had a tackle in a 30-8 victory over Tennessee.

▪ Dallas fullback Tyler Clutts (Clovis/Fresno State) played without recording a stat in the loss to the Packers.

▪ Denver tight end Virgil Green (Tulare) didn’t have a reception on his only target against the Raiders.

▪ Kansas City rookie cornerback Steven Nelson (Sequoias) had a special-teams tackle as the Chiefs held on for a 10-3 victory over San Diego. Chargers right guard Kenny Wiggins (Fresno State) made his third straight start.

▪ Seattle tight end Anthony McCoy (Bullard) didn’t record a reception in a 35-6 victory over Baltimore.

▪ Chicago receiver Marquess Wilson (Tulare) was placed on injured reserve last week.

▪ St. Louis placed safety T.J. McDonald (Edison) on IR.

▪ Tight end Bear Pascoe (Granite Hills/Fresno State) signed with Detroit.

▪ Atlanta waived wide receiver Devon Wylie (Fresno State) from the practice squad.

This story was originally published December 16, 2015 at 6:37 PM with the headline "NFL locals roundup: Derek Carr, Davante Adams await reunion in Oakland."