The Las Vegas Raiders have made a notable decision by signing 25-year-old off the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad. This move follows an injury to their starting quarterback, Aidan O’Connell, who suffered a broken thumb in a recent loss to the Los Angeles Rams. O’Connell is expected to be sidelined for four to six weeks, prompting the Raiders to strengthen their quarterback options.
The QB, formerly with the Atlanta Falcons, has an 8-9 record in 19 career games. As a starter, he has passed for 3,544 yards, completing 64% of his throws, with 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. His experience and track record may prove vital as the Raiders aim to keep their offensive performance strong during O’Connell’s recovery.
The Raiders are facing difficulties this season with a 2-5 record, and their quarterback situation is particularly problematic. Gardner Minshew, who was replaced by O’Connell, has struggled on the field, tying for the league lead with 10 turnovers. His performance against the Rams, where he threw three interceptions and lost a fumble, only worsened the team’s quarterback issues.
Desmond Ridder, 25, was drafted in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, making him one of nine quarterbacks picked that year. He has a connection with Raiders receiver Tre Tucker, as they were teammates at the University of Cincinnati. This signing, first reported by NFL Network, could provide the Raiders with a much-needed boost as they aim to improve their season in the coming weeks.
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