Not only did the Las Vegas Raiders drop their seventh consecutive game on Sunday against the Denver Broncos, they also lost quarterback Gardner Minshew for the season due to a broken collarbone. Thankfully Aidan O’Connell is eligible to return from injured reserve this week, but with the Raiders on a quick turnaround, having to play Friday against the Kansas City Chiefs, it was unclear whether or not he would be ready.
The Raiders also have Desmond Ridder whom they signed when O’Connell originally got injured and who finished Sunday’s contest after Minshew went down. It would make sense that they would want to get a look at Ridder under center at some point, but it looks like that won’t be this week.
Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce announced that the team will start O’Connell on Friday against the Chiefs, adding that he has been laser-focused since returning to the practice field, via Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk:
Raiders coach Antonio Pierce announced Aidan O’Connell will start at quarterback against the Chiefs on Black Friday.
“We feel good about Aidan. He’s been dialed in,” Pierce said, via video from the team. “Obviously throughout this time he’s been on IR, he’s been in all the meetings; he’s been very encouraging on the sideline. He has that laser eye focus right now. Great opportunity for him.”
Considering O’Connell was the starter for the Raiders when he suffered the fractured thumb that put him on injured reserve, it makes sense that Pierce is choosing to go with him. Concern over the quick turnaround is understandable, but if they feel he is good to go, and by all means that looks to be the case, then the choice is an obvious one.
O’Connell looked solid for much of last year, but hasn’t had much opportunity to show his development this season. Making things tougher is that the lone start that he finished came against one of the best defenses in the NFL in the Pittsburgh Steelers. And it doesn’t get any easier as the Chiefs also boast one of the league’s toughest defenses.
Regardless, O’Connell does still hold a victory over the Chiefs from last season and he will be locked in to show he can be a starting quarterback in this league.
Daniel Jones removes Raiders from consideration in free agency
The Raiders could potentially have had another option as they were one of the teams interested in signing free agent quarterback Daniel Jones after he was released by the New York Giants.
However Jones would remove the Raiders from consideration as he preferred to join a playoff contender, ultimately choosing to sign with the Minnesota Vikings.
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