Aidan O'Connell - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Were the Chiefs lucky to defeat the Raiders on Black Friday? | The Facility

1 DAY AGO • FOX SPORTS

Strong game marred by miscue O'Connell completed 23 of 35 passes for 340 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions and netted no gain on one rush in the Raiders' 19-17 loss to the Chiefs on Friday. He als...

Impact Seeing his first action since Week 7 due to a thumb injury, O'Connell arguably outplayed Patrick Mahomes but still saw the Raiders come up short partly through his own doing. O'Connell's passing yardage total was easily a new career high, and his multi-touchdown tally, which consisted of second-half scoring tosses to Brock Bowers (33 yards) and Tre Tucker (58 yards), was his first of the 2024 season. The second-year signal-caller also spread the ball around to seven different targets, but he wasn't ready for a shotgun snap with 15 seconds remaining at the Chiefs' 38-yard line and saw the ball eventually end up in the hands of Kansas City's Nick Bolton for a game-ending turnover. Despite the heartbreaking finish, O'Connell's overall performance and his chemistry with Bowers (10-140-1) was particularly encouraging, and he therefore carries a bright fantasy outlook into a Week 14 road interconference clash against the Buccaneers.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Officially activated off IR O'Connell (thumb) was activated off injured reserve Thursday ahead of Friday's game against the Chiefs.

Impact O'Connell's activation corresponds with fellow quarterback Gardner Minshew (collarbone) landing on IR. O'Connell was a full participant in practice both Tuesday and Wednesday and heads into Friday without an injury designation, lining him up to start against Kansas City. Prior to hurting his thumb, O'Connell had made completed 52 of 82 passes for 455 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions over four games.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Raiders' Antonio Pierce hoping for 'chaos' as Aidan O'Connell gets start vs. Chiefs

Aidan O'Connell will start at quarterback when the Las Vegas Raiders visit the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday.

6 DAYS AGO

Raiders' Antonio Pierce hoping for 'chaos' as Aidan O'Connell gets start vs. Chiefs

Named as Week 13 Starter Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said Wednesday that O'Connell (thumb) will start Friday's game at Kansas City, Levi Edwards of the Raiders' official site reports.

Impact The Raiders listed O'Connell as a full practice participant Tuesday, one day after designating him from a return from injured reserve. They apparently plan to activated him from IR before Friday's game and put him back in the starting role. O'Connell took the job from Gardner Minshew (collarbone) going into Week 6 but then suffered a fractured thumb on his throwing hand in his second start, Week 7. Minshew has started each subsequent game, with Desmond Ridder subbing in a couple of times, including this past Sunday against Denver when Minshew suffered a season-ending injury.

6 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Deemed full participant in practice O'Connell was estimated as a full participant in Tuesday's practice walkthrough, Tashan Reed of The Athletic reports.

Impact The wheels begin rolling for O'Connell to return from a four-game absence when Las Vegas designated him to return to practice Monday, and it now seems likely that the second-year quarterback will suit up Friday against Kansas City given his designation as a full participant in practice Tuesday. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported earlier Tuesday that O'Connell took first-team reps during the walkthrough, suggesting that the Purdue product will start ahead of Desmond Ridder versus Kansas City. O'Connell will need to be activated off IR before that can happen, but everything points to that transaction taking place, as the QB told Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com that "the hope" is that he'll start Friday.

NOVEMBER 27 • ROTOWIRE

Trending toward Week 13 start The Raiders are preparing for O'Connell (thumb) to start Friday's game at Kansas City, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Impact O'Connell remains on injured reserve, but the Raiders set in motion his potential return for Week 13 by opening his 21-day practice window Monday. According to Pelissero, O'Connell took all the first-team reps during Monday's unofficial practice session, while Desmond Ridder worked with the second team after coming on to replace the injured Gardner Minshew (collarbone) in Sunday's 29-19 loss to the Broncos. With Minshew out for the season, O'Connell should have the opportunity to start for the Raiders over the final six contests, provided his fractured right thumb doesn't present any complications in practice leading up to Friday's game. O'Connell profiles as a low-end fantasy option after he completed 62.4 percent of his passes for 6.3 yards per attempt and a 14:9 TD:INT while offering little production as a runner (11 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries) over his first 15 NFL appearances (12 starts).

NOVEMBER 26 • ROTOWIRE

Designated to return to practice O'Connell (thumb) was designated to return to practice on Monday.

Impact The move arrives at an opportune time for the Raiders, with head coach Antonio Pierce having confirmed Monday that Gardner Minshew will be out for the rest of the season after suffering a broken collarbone Sunday, per Levi Edwards of the team's official site. As for O'Connell's potential availability for Friday's game against the Chiefs, Pierce noted that the signal-caller has "been ramping up," while acknowledging that a call on O'Connell's Week 13 status will be up to the Raiders' medical staff. In the event that O'Connell isn't activated from IR ahead of Friday's contest, Desmond Ridder would be in line to draw the start against Kansas City.

NOVEMBER 25 • ROTOWIRE

Will be designated for return Coach Antonio Pierce said Monday that O'Connell (thumb) will be designated to return from injured reserve Tuesday, Tashan Reed of The Athletic reports.

Impact The Raiders' hope is that O'Connell will be ready to start Friday's Week 13 game against the Chiefs after Gardner Minshew suffered a season-ending broken collarbone in Sunday's loss to the Broncos. O'Connell broke his thumb in Week 7 after making a pair of starts and appearing in a total of four games to begin the 2024 campaign. With Minshew done for the year, it will be a chance for the Raiders to get another lengthy look at their second-year quarterback.

NOVEMBER 25 • ROTOWIRE

Could return from IR in Week 13 The Raiders are hopeful that O'Connell (thumb) will be ready to return from injured reserve and start their Week 13 game against the Chiefs on Friday, Tashan Reed of The Athletic r...

Impact O'Connell opened the season as the Raiders' No. 2 quarterback, but after coming on in relief for a struggling Gardner Minshew in Weeks 3 and 5, the second-year signal-caller took over as Las Vegas' starter in Week 6. He made just two starts before suffering a broken right thumb in Week 7, resulting in his move to IR. While recovering over the past five weeks, O'Connell seems to be making good progress, with head coach Antonio Pierce noting Sunday that O'Connell was able to do some throwing this past week. Assuming the Raiders open O'Connell's 21-day evaluation window this week, he'll have a chance to step back in as Las Vegas' starter after Minshew suffered a season-ending fractured collarbone in the Week 12 loss to the Broncos. Desmond Ridder finished out that contest under center and would be the top candidate to start in Kansas City if the Raiders aren't comfortable with having O'Connell step back into the lineup on a short week.

NOVEMBER 25 • ROTOWIRE

Moves to IR The Raiders placed O'Connell (thumb) on injured reserve Tuesday.

Impact According to Vic Tafur of The Athletic, O'Connell is likely to miss 4-to-6 weeks while he recovers from a broken thumb on his throwing hand. The Raiders haven't revealed whether O'Connell will require surgery to address the injury, but in his upcoming absence, Gardner Minshew will step back into the starting role. The Raiders signed Desmond Ridder off the Cardinals' practice squad to provide a depth option behind Minshew.

OCTOBER 22 • ROTOWIRE

Raiders QB Aidan O'Connell reportedly fractures thumb, will miss 4-6 weeks

The Raiders will be without their starting quarterback for a bit. Aidan O'Connell reportedly fractured his thumb in Sunday's loss to the Ram...

OCTOBER 21

Raiders QB Aidan O'Connell reportedly fractures thumb, will miss 4-6 weeks

Expected to land on IR The Raiders are expected to place O'Connell on IR due to a fractured thumb sustained during Sunday's 20-15 loss to the Rams, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Impact O'Connell is believed to be dealing with a 4-to-6 week recovery timetable, a development which puts Gardner Minshew back in position to start under center for Las Vegas. In his lone full start this season, O'Connell completed 27 of 40 pass attempts for 227 yards, one touchdown and one interception Week 6 versus the Steelers. Across four appearances on the whole, O'Connell has thrown for 455 yards, two touchdowns and two INTs. Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that O'Connell will seek a second opinion Monday to confirm the severity of his injury.

OCTOBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Expected to land on IR The Raiders are expected to place O'Connell on IR due to a fractured thumb sustained during Sunday's 20-15 loss to the Rams, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Impact O'Connell could be sidelined up to six weeks, a development which puts Gardner Minshew back under center for Las Vegas. In his lone full start this season, O'Connell completed 27 of 40 pass attempts for 227 yards, one touchdown and one interception in Week 6 versus the Steelers. Across four appearances on the whole, O'Connell has thrown for 455 yards, two touchdowns and two INTs. Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that O'Connell will seek a second opinion Monday to confirm the severity of his injury.

OCTOBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

May have broken thumb Based on preliminary tests, O'Connell is believed to have sustained a broken thumb during Sunday's game against the Rams, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Impact Per the report, O'Connell will undergo further evaluation Monday to determine the extent of his thumb injury. If he ends up missing time beyond Sunday, Gardner Minshew would be in line to reclaim the Raiders' starting QB job.

OCTOBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Hurst thumb Sunday O'Connell exited Sunday's game against the Rams after suffering a thumb injury.

Impact O'Connell had completed six of his 10 pass attempts for 52 yards prior to leaving the contest. In his absence, Gardner Minshew is in at QB for the Raiders.

OCTOBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Mediocre in first start of 2024 O'Connell completed 27 of 40 passes for 227 yards, one touchdown and one interception in Sunday's 32-13 loss to the Steelers.

Impact O'Connell took over as the Raiders' starting quarterback and faced a tough test against the Pittsburgh defense. He got off to a hot start by leading Las Vegas to a touchdown on the team's opening possession, and he went 4-for-4 for 45 yards while working primarily in short areas of the field. While O'Connell remained accurate throughout the game, he was hesitant to push the ball downfield and had only one completion of more than 20 yards. Assuming he stays under center in Week 7 against the Rams, O'Connell could be a bit more aggressive, though expectations should remain in check.

OCTOBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Mediocre in first start of 2024 O'Connell completed 27 of 40 passes for 227 yards, one touchdown and one interception in Sunday's 32-13 loss to the Steelers.

OCTOBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Antonio Pierce names Aidan O'Connell starting Raiders QB, benching Gardner Minshew

Head coach Antonio Pierce has once-again named Aidan O’Connell as the Raiders starting quarterback ahead of Las Vegas' matchup with the Stee...

OCTOBER 9

Antonio Pierce names Aidan O'Connell starting Raiders QB, benching Gardner Minshew

Taking over starting job O'Connell is replacing Gardner Minshew as the Raiders' starting quarterback this week, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Impact Minshew is being demoted to the backup role after starting the first five games of the season. Coach Antonio Pierce said he doesn't anticipate going back to Minshew, but Pierce did leave the door open to make another change if he eventually feels one is needed, per Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com. O'Connell will face the Steelers this Sunday.

OCTOBER 9 • ROTOWIRE

Enters in relief again O'Connell completed 10 of 20 passes for 93 yards, no touchdowns and one interception in Sunday's 34-18 loss to the Broncos.

Impact For the second time in the last three games, O'Connell replaced Gardner Minshew. O'Connell took over late in the third quarter and led four uneven possessions. He did lead a touchdown drive, during which he went 8-for-11 for 79 yards, though it came in garbage time and he rarely pushed the ball down the field. O'Connell also threw an interception and had a three-and-out. Despite O'Connell's ineffectiveness, coach Antonio Pierce declined to name a starter for a Week 6 matchup against the Steelers, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.

OCTOBER 7 • ROTOWIRE

Raiders will reportedly stick with Gardner Minshew over Aidan O'Connell at QB

Antonio Pierce said the Raiders needed to “evaluate everything" after a loss to Carolina.

SEPTEMBER 24

Raiders will reportedly stick with Gardner Minshew over Aidan O'Connell at QB

Will remain No. 2 option O'Connell will remain the backup option under center for the Raiders for the team's Week 4 matchup with the Browns, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Impact Head coach Antonio Pierce raised some eyebrows Monday when he hinted that a quarterback change could be on the horizon. However, it did not take long for Gardner Minshew to get the nod for another start. Still, it looks like he is on a short leash as of now, meaning O'Connell could get the call at any point should Minshew struggle. The second-year signal caller looked solid in garbage time Sunday, completing nine of 12 passes for 82 yards and one touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

SEPTEMBER 24 • ROTOWIRE

In line to remain No. 2 option O'Connell is slated to remain the backup option under center for the Raiders for the team's Week 4 matchup with the Browns, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Impact Head coach Antonio Pierce raised some eyebrows Monday when he hinted that a quarterback change could be on the horizon. However, Gardner Minshew is poised to get the nod for another start. Still, it looks like he's on a short leash as of now, meaning O'Connell could get the call at any point should Minshew struggle. The second-year signal-caller looked solid in garbage time Sunday, completing nine of 12 passes for 82 yards and one touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

SEPTEMBER 24 • ROTOWIRE

Quarterback change may be coming Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said Monday he hasn't ruled out O'Connell, who entered late during Sunday's 36-22 loss to the Panthers, starting over Gardner Minshew versus the Browns...

Impact O'Connell looked solid in garbage time Sunday, completing nine of 12 passes for 82 yards and one touchdown late in the fourth quarter with Carolina having already firmly secured a win and focused on running out the clock. Still, with Minshew compiling only 214 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception in roughly three and a half quarters of play, it sounds like the Raiders will evaluate things under center. Pierce said Las Vegas was "just trying to look for a spark" by having O'Connell enter Sunday's game, per Tashan Reed of The Athletic.

SEPTEMBER 23 • ROTOWIRE

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Were the Chiefs lucky to defeat the Raiders on Black Friday? | The Facility

Raiders' Antonio Pierce hoping for 'chaos' as Aidan O'Connell gets start vs. Chiefs

Raiders QB Aidan O'Connell reportedly fractures thumb, will miss 4-6 weeks

Antonio Pierce names Aidan O'Connell starting Raiders QB, benching Gardner Minshew

Raiders will reportedly stick with Gardner Minshew over Aidan O'Connell at QB