The Las Vegas Raiders have already lost their starting quarterback, Gardner Minshew, to a season-ending shoulder injury. Now, his backup, Aidan O’Connell, is dealing with a serious injury.
O’Connell was injured in the third quarter of the Raiders’ Week 14 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It occurred as the second-year quarterback scrambled right and connected with Jakobi Meyers for an 8-yard game.
O’Connell was pushed from behind by Buccaneers defensive tackle Calijah Kancey after he threw a pass while scrambling to the right sideline. The Raiders quarterback remained down after the play and medical personnel attended to him.
Eventually, O’Connell was loaded onto a cart and taken off the field. His left leg was in an air cast, indicating that the quarterback had suffered a potentially significant injury.
Here’s what to know about O’Connell’s injury and who will replace him with the Raiders.
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Aidan O’Connell injury update
O’Connell was injured with 1:23 left in the third quarter of the Raiders vs. Buccaneers game. It wasn’t clear exactly what happened to his leg, but he had to be carted off the field because of his injury.
The Raiders quickly ruled him out and clarified that O’Connell had suffered a knee injury. He finished the day completing 11-of-19 passes for 104 yards and an interception.
Raiders QB depth chart: Who is Aidan O’Connell’s backup?
O’Connell will be replaced by his backup quarterback, Desmond Ridder. The third-year pro has only been with the Raiders since signing off the Arizona Cardinals practice squad on Oct. 21, 2024, but has seen action in two games this season.
Ridder has completed 16-of-26 passes with the Raiders for 138 yards and a touchdown. He hasn’t yet made a start for the team, but he has a career record of 8-9 as a starter.
The Raiders have only one other healthy quarterback in their system besides Ridder: undrafted rookie Carter Bradley, who is currently on the team’s practice squad.
Las Vegas could look to sign another quarterback if O’Connell’s injury is as serious as it looks.
