AIDAN O'CONNELL NEWS

Throws momentum-changing pick O'Connell completed 24 of 34 passes for 214 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in Sunday's 34-20 loss to the Chargers. He added four rushes for 13 yards.

Impact O'Connell had effective moments early in the contest, particularly on a drive early in the second quarter during which he threw for 47 yards, including a 25-yard touchdown strike to Jakobi Meyers. However, he threw an interception just before halftime that resulted in the Chargers cashing in for a touchdown, shifting the momentum in the game and seemingly taking the Raiders out of any offensive rhythm. Las Vegas struggled to settle on a starting quarterback throughout the season, but the team is likely to look for an upgrade at the position this offseason, potentially shifting O'Connell down the depth chart.

JANUARY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Tosses two TDs in win O'Connell completed 20 of 35 passes for 242 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 25-10 win over the Saints.

Impact The second-year QB hit Jakobi Meyers for a three-yard score in the second quarter that put the Raiders in the lead for good, then capped his day with an 18-yard TD to Tre Tucker in the fourth. O'Connell is having a decent finish to the season, accounting for five touchdowns (four passing, one rushing) in his last four appearances against only one INT, but Las Vegas is still almost certain to look for an upgrade in the offseason. O'Connell will try to wrap up the campaign in style in Week 18 against the Chargers.

DECEMBER 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Manages Raiders to victory O'Connell completed 24 of 38 passes for 257 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions in Sunday's 19-14 win over the Jaguars. He added seven rushes for 12 yards.

Impact O'Connell returned from a one-game absence and stabilized the Raiders' offense by not turning the ball over and taking only two sacks. He also completed three passes of at least 20 yards, two of which came in the first quarter. O'Connell has now thrown for multiple touchdowns in only one of his four starts on the season, but he has shown the ability to get the ball to the Raiders' top playmakers at a consistent clip and in turn helping the offense.

DECEMBER 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

No Week 16 injury designation O'Connell (knee) doesn't carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Jaguars after practicing fully this week.

Impact Per Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com, head coach Antonio Pierce noted earlier Friday that O'Connell "should be good to go" and start Sunday versus Jacksonville. With the QB subsequently maintaining his full participation level and avoiding a Week 16 injury designation, O'Connell is poised to return the lineup after being inactive for this past Monday's loss to the Falcons, a game started by Desmond Ridder.

DECEMBER 20, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Back from knee injury O'Connell (knee) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, Paul Guteirrez of ESPN.com reports.

Impact O'Connell's ability to practice without limitations suggests he'll be healthy enough to suit up for Sunday's game against the Jaguars, barring a setback. His return under center is welcome news for top Raiders pass catchers Jakobi Meyers and Brock Bowers, who combined for only 94 receiving yards in Desmond Ridder's spot start during Monday's 15-9 loss to the Falcons.

DECEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Back from knee injury O'Connell (knee) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, Paul Guteirrez of ESPN.com reports.

Impact O'Connell's ability to practice without limitations suggests he'll be healthy enough to suit up for Sunday's game against the Jaguars, barring a setback. His return under center is welcome news for top Raiders pass catchers Jakobi Meyers and Brock Bowers, who combined for only 94 receiving yards in Desmond Ridder's spot start during Monday's 15-9 loss to the Falcons.

DECEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to practice O'Connell (knee) returned to practice Wednesday, Kevin Bollinger of FOX 5 Vegas reports.

Impact Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said Tuesday that O'Connell is trending toward playing in Sunday's game against Jacksonville, after missing a 16-10 loss to the Falcons on Monday. O'Connell didn't practice at all last week but was available as the emergency No. 3 QB Monday night, behind starter Desmond Ridder and Carter Bradley.

DECEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to practice O'Connell (knee) returned to practice Wednesday, Kevin Bollinger of FOX 5 Vegas reports.

Impact Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said Tuesday that O'Connell is trending toward playing in Sunday's game against Jacksonville, after missing a 16-10 loss to the Falcons on Monday. O'Connell didn't practice at all last week but was available as the emergency No. 3 QB Monday night, behind starter Desmond Ridder and Carter Bradley.

DECEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Trending toward Week 16 return Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce said Tuesday that O'Connell (knee) is "trending upwards to play" Sunday against Jacksonville, Tashan Reed of The Athletic reports.

Impact O'Connell was inactive for Monday night's loss to the Falcons, but he was cleared to operate as Las Vegas' emergency third quarterback. Desmond Ridder struggled in his spot start versus Atlanta, throwing for 208 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in the 15-9 loss. A return to the lineup on O'Connell's part could help spark things on offense for the Raiders, which would be especially notable for rookie tight end Brock Bowers, who was limited to three catches for 35 yards (on six targets) with Ridder under center Monday.

DECEMBER 17, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Inactive, but emergency third QB O'Connell (knee) is inactive for Monday night's game against the Falcons, but he's available as the Raiders' emergency third quarterback behind Desmond Ridder and Carter Bradley.

Impact O'Connell was deemed a non-participant in practice Thursday through Saturday and approached the contest listed as questionable, but the bone bruise to his left knee that he sustained during Week 14 action will end up sidelining the QB on Monday. In O'Connell's place, Ridder is in line to make his first start for the Raiders, while O'Connell will target a potential return to action this coming Sunday versus the Jaguars.

DECEMBER 17, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Looks like game-time decision O'Connell (knee) will decide during pregame warmups Monday whether he'll play versus the Falcons, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Impact O'Connell didn't practice at all during the week due to a knee issue he picked up in Week 14 at Tampa Bay, so Las Vegas is preparing as though 2022 third-rounder Desmond Ridder will start at quarterback in Week 15. Whoever steps under center for the Raiders on Monday will be looking at an Atlanta defense that's been less than impressive so far this season, especially against the pass.

DECEMBER 16, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

No practice, still questionable O'Connell (knee) is listed as questionable for Monday's game against the Falcons, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports.

Impact O'Connell didn't practice all week, but the Raiders are evidently giving the second-year quarterback every avenue possible to return Monday from an injury, later discovered to be a bone bruise, that was so serious it required an MRI earlier in the week. In the event O'Connell can't play, Las Vegas would likely turn to Desmond Ridder against his former team. Expect more clarification regarding O'Connell's status to come before the 8:30 p.m. ET kickoff Monday.

DECEMBER 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Not practicing Friday Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce said Friday that O'Connell (knee) is not participating in practice, Tashan Reed of The Athletic reports.

Impact O'Connell has now missed back-to-back practice sessions since having participated in Wednesday's walkthrough. The second-year quarterback is nursing a bone bruise to his left knee sustained during Las Vegas' loss to Tampa Bay in Week 14. His final chance to get back on the practice field prior to Monday's game against the Falcons will come Saturday. Desmond Ridder will enter the Raiders' starting lineup versus Atlanta in the event that O'Connell can't suit up.

DECEMBER 13, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Doesn't practice Thursday O'Connell (knee) didn't practice Thursday.

Impact O'Connell, who suffered a bone bruise to his left knee late in the third quarter of the Raiders' loss to the Buccaneers this past Sunday, thus has two more opportunities to practice ahead of Monday night's game against the Falcons. If he's unavailable for the contest, however, Desmond Ridder would be in line to draw the Week 15 start at QB for Las Vegas.

DECEMBER 12, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Monday status TBD Head coach Antonio Pierce noted that O'Connell (knee) is in line to participate in Wednesday's walk-through, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports.

Impact When asked whether O'Connell will start Monday night against the Falcons, Pierce said it depends on how the QB looks at practice this week. If O'Connell isn't available for Week 15 action, however, Desmond Ridder would be in line to start in his place.

DECEMBER 11, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Not yet ruled out for Week 15 O'Connell has been diagnosed with a bone bruise in his left knee following an MRI undergone Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Impact O'Connell was forced out of Sunday's 28-13 loss to the Buccaneers with an air cast on his left leg, and he had to be carted off the field. All things considered, being diagnosed with only a bone bruise is a near best-case scenario for the second-year quarterback. Head coach Antonio Pierce said Monday he expects Desmond Ridder to start versus Atlanta on Monday Night Football, but it looks like O'Connell could still have a chance to start Week 15 if he can log a good week of practice.

DECEMBER 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Coach pessimistic with MRI upcoming Coach Antonio Pierce said after Sunday's 28-13 loss to the Buccaneers that O'Connell's knee injury "doesn't look good," per Vic Tafur of The Athletic, and Ian Rapoport of NFL Netwo...

Impact O'Connell needed an immediate air cast on his leg after getting hurt against the Buccaneers and was carted off the field. While official word on the severity of the injury won't come until after the results of Monday's MRI, it's likely that O'Connell's injury will keep him from suiting up for the Raiders' remaining four games, which would thrust Desmond Ridder into a starting role.

DECEMBER 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Hurts knee Sunday O'Connell was forced out of Sunday's game against the Buccaneers with a knee injury.

Impact Per Tashan Reed of The Athletic, O'Connell's left leg was placed in an air cast prior to him being carted off the field Sunday. With O'Connell having suffered a potentially serious injury, Desmond Ridder is in line to take over at QB for the Raiders versus Tampa Bay.

DECEMBER 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Good to go against Bucs O'Connell (illness) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports.

Impact O'Connell missed practice Thursday but returned to full participation and is good to go for Sunday's game. He'll face a Buccaneers defense that's allowing the third-most passing yards per game in the NFL, but it remains to be seen if O'Connell will be joined by wide receiver Jakobi Meyers or running back Alexander Mattison, who are both listed as questionable due to ankle injuries.

DECEMBER 6, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Resumes practicing in full Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce said Friday that O'Connell (illness) will be a full participant in practice, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports.

Impact O'Connell missed practice Thursday due to an illness, but he's now back on full track for Sunday's road matchup against the Buccaneers. Pierce said the same is true of No. 1 wideout Jakobi Meyers, who sat out Thursday due to an ankle issue. It will be to the notable benefit of O'Connell -- who completed 23 of 35 passes for 340 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions during last week's 19-17 loss to the Chiefs -- to have Meyers and rookie tight end Brock Bowers, his two top targets, both healthy versus Tampa Bay.

DECEMBER 6, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Misses Thursday's practice O'Connell (illness) didn't practice Thursday.

Impact O'Connell practiced fully Wednesday, but his absence a day later makes his status for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers worth tracking. Friday's injury report will reveal whether there's any chance that the illness that sidelined O'Connell on Thursday could affect his Week 14 availability. Desmond Ridder is the Raiders' backup QB, with Carter Bradley on the team's practice squad.

DECEMBER 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Strong game marred by miscue O'Connell completed 23 of 35 passes for 340 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions and netted no gain on one rush in the Raiders' 19-17 loss to the Chiefs on Friday. He als...

Impact Seeing his first action since Week 7 due to a thumb injury, O'Connell arguably outplayed Patrick Mahomes but still saw the Raiders come up short partly through his own doing. O'Connell's passing yardage total was easily a new career high, and his multi-touchdown tally, which consisted of second-half scoring tosses to Brock Bowers (33 yards) and Tre Tucker (58 yards), was his first of the 2024 season. The second-year signal-caller also spread the ball around to seven different targets, but he wasn't ready for a shotgun snap with 15 seconds remaining at the Chiefs' 38-yard line and saw the ball eventually end up in the hands of Kansas City's Nick Bolton for a game-ending turnover. Despite the heartbreaking finish, O'Connell's overall performance and his chemistry with Bowers (10-140-1) was particularly encouraging, and he therefore carries a bright fantasy outlook into a Week 14 road interconference clash against the Buccaneers.

NOVEMBER 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Officially activated off IR O'Connell (thumb) was activated off injured reserve Thursday ahead of Friday's game against the Chiefs.

Impact O'Connell's activation corresponds with fellow quarterback Gardner Minshew (collarbone) landing on IR. O'Connell was a full participant in practice both Tuesday and Wednesday and heads into Friday without an injury designation, lining him up to start against Kansas City. Prior to hurting his thumb, O'Connell had made completed 52 of 82 passes for 455 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions over four games.

NOVEMBER 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE