Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell is expected to start Friday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs, according to NFL Network.
O’Connell, 26, is eligible to return from injured reserve in time for the game. The Raiders (2-9) recently lost quarterback Gardner Minshew to a season-ending broken collarbone during their 29-19 loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday.
O’Connell returned to practice on Monday and took first-team reps. He had been sidelined since injuring his thumb in a 20-15 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Oct. 20.
This season, O’Connell has completed 52 of 82 passes for 455 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions in four games (two starts). Last season, as a rookie, he threw for 2,218 yards with 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 11 games (10 starts). O’Connell was drafted by the Raiders in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Desmond Ridder, 25, stepped in for Minshew on Sunday, completing 5 of 10 passes for 64 yards. Ridder has played in three games this season, going 16 of 26 for 138 yards with one touchdown.
Minshew, 28, had completed 25 of 42 passes for 230 yards with one touchdown and one interception against the Broncos. This was his first season with the Raiders, where he passed for 2,013 yards, nine touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.
Minshew had joined the Raiders as a free agent after playing for Jacksonville (2019-2020), Philadelphia (2021-2022), and Indianapolis (2023). He won the starting job in camp but was benched several times in a tough season for the Raiders, who have now lost seven straight games.
