When Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell went down in the third quarter of the team’s loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, many feared the worst. O’Connell was pushed after throwing a pass and came down awkwardly on his left knee. He would be carted off with an air cast around his leg as it looked like his season was over.
That would be a cruel fate for O’Connell who seemed to be coming into his own. After being beat out for the job by Gardner Minshew, O’Connell suffered a fractured thumb just a week after being named starter, keeping him out for four weeks.
But the tests revealed a far more minor issue for the Raiders quarterback as he reportedly suffered a bone bruise in his left knee according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter:
Tests on QB Aidan O’Connell’s knee today revealed a bone bruise and he would like to try to play Monday night vs. the Falcons, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 9, 2024
That is about as good an outcome as possible for O’Connell and the Raiders. Whether he will actually be able to suit up next Monday night is unclear, but it certainly sounds as if he will be back on the field before this season is over.
Raiders coach Antonio Pierce had previously said that Desmond Ridder would start at quarterback against the Atlanta Falcons, but with the chance that O’Connell could suit up that chance may not come just yet and O’Connell will surely do everything possible to be on the field for the Raiders.
O’Connell is still trying to show he can be a starting quarterback in the NFL so losing out on more games due to injury is frustrating. Either way, this injury turning out to be a minor one is great news overall for the young quarterback.
‘General consensus’ around NFL is Raiders will target Shedeur Sanders in NFL Draft
The quarterback position remains the biggest need for the Raiders and even though O’Connell has had some moments, there is little doubt the franchise needs an upgrade in order to take a step into the next level. One name that has continually been brought up is Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders.
At 2-11 the Raiders are in position to have one of the top picks in the 2025 NFL Draft and most within the NFL feel the Raiders will be targeting Sanders when that time comes. There are other top quarterback prospects and the team could always choose to improve another position, but by all accounts, if the Raiders can get Sanders, they are going to make it happen.
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