Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell is likely to be out for four to six weeks due to a broken thumb, according to a source close to the situation who spoke on Monday.
This source talked to The Associated Press anonymously because the Raiders had not made an official announcement.
The source also mentioned that O’Connell’s injury, which is expected to put him on injured reserve, isn’t as serious as first thought due to where the break is located on his throwing hand. O’Connell will seek a second opinion, the source said.
Coach Antonio Pierce said during his news conference that he did not have any new updates about O’Connell’s injury.
The Raiders have signed Desmond Ridder from the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad, another source revealed, and Ridder may compete with Gardner Minshew to start in O’Connell’s absence.
This source spoke to The AP anonymously since the signing had not yet been announced.
Ridder started 13 games for Atlanta last season, throwing for 2,836 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.
The Falcons drafted Ridder in the third round in 2022 from Cincinnati, where he was teammates with Las Vegas wide receiver Tre Tucker. Atlanta traded Ridder to Arizona on March 14.
Minshew started the first five games for the Raiders this season before Pierce chose O’Connell last week. Minshew then took over for O’Connell in Sunday’s 20-15 loss to the Los Angeles Rams after O’Connell got hurt in the first quarter.
O’Connell was the starter in the second half of last season but began this season behind Minshew, who struggled. This led to the change, and O’Connell got his first start of the season against the Rams before leaving after just two offensive series.
