Raiders (2-11) set for Monday Night matchup vs. Atlanta
Dec 16, 2024, 6:55 AM | Updated: 7:25 am
(Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images)
Another week, another loss and a new starting quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders.
Desmond Ridder becomes the QB1 for the Raiders (2-11) in Week 15 as Las Vegas prepares to host his former team, the Atlanta Falcons (6-7), next Monday night.
Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce said Monday an official diagnosis of Aidan O’Connell’s injured left knee was expected later in the day. NFL Network reported O’Connell was diagnosed with a bone bruise.
Thursday #ATLvsLV Injury Report https://t.co/8CWiuXIYmO
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 12, 2024
“Desmond Ridder will be the starter for now,” Pierce said.
O’Connell is expected to miss multiple games and the Raiders have only one other quarterback on the roster. Undrafted rookie Carter Bradley (South Alabama) is on the practice squad.
“There’s been some bright spots there, some other spots we wish we had back, but what we do see is a guy who is very competitive, that takes his job serious,” Pierce said of Ridder. “And he has an opportunity, if Aidan’s not able to go and he’s a starter, it’s another great opportunity for him to showcase himself.”
He was carted to the locker room with an air cast on his left leg after being pushed from behind by Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive lineman Calijah Kancey in the third quarter on Sunday. The Raiders soon ruled O’Connell out for the rest of the game with a knee injury.
The Raiders have lost nine consecutive games and failed to score 20 points in each of the past four defeats.
O’Connell began the season as a backup but became the starter after Gardner Minshew suffered a broken collarbone on Nov. 24.
O’Connell was fleeing pressure toward the right sideline with 1:23 left in the quarter when Kancey shoved him from behind after the play. No penalty was called.
O’Connell, who was 11-for-19 for 104 yards and an interception, was replaced by Ridder.
The 26-year-old O’Connell finished the day with a 63.2 completion percentage for 899 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions over six games (four starts) in his second NFL campaign.
–Field Level Media
Las Vegas Raiders 2024 regular season schedule
- Monday, December 16th – vs. Atlanta Falcons
- Sunday, December 22nd – vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
- Sunday, December 29th – @ New Orleans Saints
- TBD-Flex Game vs. Los Angeles Chargers – TBD (Final game of the regular season)
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