Aidan O’Connell was notably absent from the Raiders’ lineup in their recent match against the Falcons due to a knee injury. The backup quarterback was sidelined due to a knee issue sustained earlier in the year. Now, fans are concerned about O’Connell’s status and availability for the upcoming NFL games.
Here’s what happened to Raiders QB Aidan O’Connell.
What happened to Raiders QB Aidan O’Connell?
Aidan O’Connell, the Las Vegas Raiders’ starting quarterback, was sidelined for Monday night’s game against the Atlanta Falcons due to his left knee injury. The injury occurred during the Raiders’ Week 14 match against Tampa Bay, leaving O’Connell unable to practice leading up to the game. Despite being listed as questionable, he was labeled inactive, forcing the team to shuffle their quarterback lineup.
O’Connell’s absence marks another blow to a Raiders season filled by injuries. The quarterback has experienced his share of ups and downs. Now, his knee injury adds to a difficult year.
With O’Connell out, Desmond Ridder will take over as the starter, stepping into the spotlight against his former team. Meanwhile, O’Connell will shift his focus to recovering, hoping to return for the Raiders’ next match against the Jaguars.
When Will Aidan O’Connell return to play for NFL?
Aidan O’Connell’s return remains uncertain as he deals with a knee injury that kept him inactive for Monday night’s game against the Falcons. While unavailable to take the field, O’Connell was designated as the Raiders’ emergency third quarterback, sitting behind Desmond Ridder and Carter Bradley.
O’Connell’s 2024 season has been riddled with challenges. After losing his starting role to Gardner Minshew in the preseason, he regained the role in Week 6. However, he suffered a thumb fracture against the Los Angeles Rams. That injury kept him out for nearly six weeks. Just two games into his return, O’Connell faces a knee injury. As of now, O’Connell’s return depends on his recovery progress in the coming days.