Aidan O’Connell is set for a break from football over the next month.
The Raiders quarterback is headed to injured reserve after fracturing his thumb during Sunday’s 20-15 loss to the Rams, according to NFL Network insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo. They reported on Monday that O’Connell will be sidelined for about 4-6 weeks, but there’s a chance he could return later this season.
O’Connell started 2024 in a tight competition during training camp with Gardner Minshew, who was brought in during the offseason. Neither quarterback particularly stood out during the preseason, but Minshew ended up securing the starting job. However, Minshew’s run as the starter lasted just five weeks, as coach Antonio Pierce decided to move on from his tendency to commit turnovers. O’Connell took over during Las Vegas’ Week 5 loss to Denver.
Named the starter going into Week 6, O’Connell faced his share of challenges. He completed 27 of 40 passes for 227 yards with one touchdown and one interception in a 32-13 loss to Pittsburgh. In Sunday’s game against the Rams, he only managed 10 pass attempts before his thumb injury sidelined him for at least a month.
This isn’t the first time Pierce has put his trust in O’Connell over a veteran quarterback. Back in 2023, Pierce made O’Connell the starter over Jimmy Garoppolo after taking over as head coach midway through the season, replacing the fired Josh McDaniels.
However, unlike O’Connell’s rookie season, the Raiders’ struggles go beyond the quarterback position. With O’Connell out, they’ll need Minshew to step up and deliver while the team navigates through these tough weeks ahead.