When an air solid 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 harm. A report from Sunday evening indicated the Raiders feared the second-year quarterback suffered a season-ending knee harm, 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 Community experiences. Contemplating the potential for extra drastic outcomes, that’s definitely a welcomed improvement for group and participant. O’Connell will try and play in Week 15, so his standing over the approaching days will likely be key.
O’Connell already had a stint on injured reserve earlier this yr, together with his activation coming in time for him to interchange Gardner Minshew within the lineup. The latter is out for the yr attributable to a damaged collarbone, an harm 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 properly in that regard, with O’Connell’s play on Black Friday being an exception. If he can handle to swimsuit up, although, the Purdue product might proceed auditioning for a task 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 transferring ahead. Minshew can be on the books for 2025, nevertheless, and the Raiders are on observe to be in place to pick a quarterback within the upcoming draft. A robust finish to the season wouldn’t give the group an opportunity at a postseason berth, however it might assist O’Connell’s inventory within the group.
The Raiders’ different wholesome possibility below middle is Desmond Ridder, who took over Sunday after O’Connell’s harm. The previous Falcon can be in place to begin towards his former group if he had been to get the nod for Week 15, however that may rely upon O’Connell’s capacity to restoration in brief order.
