When an air forged was positioned on Aidan O’Connell‘s leg previous to being carted off the sphere, the chance existed he can be coping with a significant damage. A report from Sunday night time indicated the Raiders feared the second-year quarterback suffered a season-ending knee injury, however the worst-case situation seems to have been averted.
Additional testing revealed O’Connell is coping with a bone bruise, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Contemplating the potential for extra drastic outcomes, that’s definitely a welcomed improvement for staff and participant. O’Connell will try and play in Week 15, so his standing over the approaching days can be key.
O’Connell already had a stint on injured reserve earlier this yr, together with his activation coming in time for him to exchange Gardner Minshew within the lineup. The latter is out for the yr because of a damaged collarbone, an damage which opened the door for O’Connell to as soon as once more compete for a possible beginning spot in 2025. Issues have typically not gone nicely in that regard, with O’Connell’s play on Black Friday being an exception. If he can handle to go well with up, although, the Purdue product might proceed auditioning for a job subsequent season.
Two extra years stay on O’Connell’s rookie contract, so he ought to nonetheless be in consideration for at the very least a depth spot on Vegas’ QB depth chart shifting ahead. Minshew can be on the books for 2025, nonetheless, and the Raiders are on observe to be in place to pick a quarterback within the upcoming draft. A powerful finish to the season wouldn’t give the staff an opportunity at a postseason berth, however it could assist O’Connell’s inventory within the group.
The Raiders’ different wholesome choice beneath heart is Desmond Ridder, who took over Sunday after O’Connell’s damage. The previous Falcon can be in place to start out in opposition to his former staff if he had been to get the nod for Week 15, however that can rely upon O’Connell’s potential to restoration briefly order.
