Raiders QB Aidan O’Connell Suffers Knee Injury in Tough Loss to Buccaneers
HENDERSON, Nev. — The Las Vegas Raiders just can’t seem to catch a break this season. Quarterback Aidan O’Connell suffered a bone bruise to his left knee during Sunday’s 28-13 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The injury, which occurred late in the third quarter, has left the Raiders scrambling yet again at the quarterback position.
O’Connell, who was carted off the field with his leg in an air cast, is reportedly eager to play in the Raiders’ next game—a high-profile “Monday Night Football” matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. However, his availability remains uncertain. Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce has already stated that Desmond Ridder will start if O’Connell is unable to suit up.
How the Injury Happened
The injury occurred as O’Connell scrambled toward the sideline and released a pass. He was pushed from behind by Buccaneers defensive tackle Calijah Kancey, causing him to land awkwardly. Pierce, after reviewing the play, expressed frustration, saying he believed the hit was late. However, no flag was thrown on the play.
For O’Connell, this was only his second start since returning from injured reserve after recovering from a broken thumb on his throwing hand. In six games this season, the second-year quarterback has thrown for 899 yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions, completing 63.2% of his passes. It’s been a tough year for the Raiders, who now sit at 2-11 and are enduring their longest in-season losing streak since starting the 2014 season 0-10.
Desmond Ridder: The Next Man Up
Should O’Connell be unable to play, the spotlight will shift to Desmond Ridder. The Falcons originally drafted Ridder in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, but his journey to the Raiders has been anything but smooth. After being released by Atlanta in August, Ridder spent time on the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad before signing with the Raiders in October. Since then, he’s made four relief appearances, playing 62 snaps for Las Vegas.
“God works in mysterious ways,” Ridder said on Sunday when asked about the possibility of starting against his former team. “I’m grateful for any time I’m able to be in this position, to go out there and touch grass and play with my 10 other brothers on the field. I’m excited. I’m ready to get back to work.”
Ridder’s career stats include 3,783 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, with a 64% completion rate and a career passer rating of 84.2. While his time in Atlanta ended with an 8-9 record as a starter, this upcoming game could be a chance for redemption on a national stage.
Raiders’ Quarterback Carousel
The Raiders’ quarterback situation has been a revolving door this season. O’Connell initially won the starting job over Gardner Minshew during training camp, but Minshew was benched in favor of O’Connell. Unfortunately, Minshew’s season came to an abrupt end in Week 12 due to a broken collarbone. Now, with O’Connell’s status in doubt, the Raiders are left with limited options.
Currently, the only other quarterback under contract is undrafted rookie Carter Bradley, who is on the team’s practice squad. If the Raiders decide to look elsewhere, they could consider quarterbacks with starting experience who are currently on other teams’ practice squads. Potential options include Trevor Siemian (Tennessee Titans), Mike White (Buffalo Bills), and Nathan Peterman (Falcons). Notably, Peterman was with the Raiders during training camp.
Coach Pierce’s Perspective
Despite the challenges, Pierce remains optimistic about Ridder’s potential. “He’s been good,” Pierce said. “Oddly enough, he’s played a lot of games, right? It’s the way the season has gone for us. But there’s been some bright spots there, some other spots we wish we had back. What we do see is a guy who is very competitive, that takes his job seriously. If Aidan’s not able to go and he’s the starter, it’s another great opportunity for him to showcase himself.”
Looking Ahead
As the Raiders prepare for their Monday night showdown against the Falcons, the team is desperate to end their nine-game losing streak. Ridder, for his part, is focused on helping the team turn things around. “This team’s ready to just get a win, ready to put four quarters together, 60 minutes together, to be able to go out there and, at the end of the day, put up more points than the other team,” he said. “How we do that, we’ve got to figure that out.”
With just four games left in the season, the Raiders are running out of time to salvage what has been a disastrous campaign. Whether it’s O’Connell, Ridder, or someone else under center, the team will need to dig deep to find a way to compete.
Originally Written by: Paul Gutierrez
