Tag: O’Connell

Dec 8, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) is carted off the field against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Raiders QB Aidan O’Connell, DE Maxx Crosby miss practice

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell missed practice Thursday as he recovers from a bone bruise in his left knee.

O’Connell was injured during a 28-13 road loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. He was carted off the field but avoided a serious injury. He’s hoping to be able to start against the Atlanta Falcons on Monday night.

“Obviously, we’ve got a longer week this week, which helps, and so just really taking it day by day,” O’Connell, 26, said Thursday. “Obviously, not something I’ve been through with this particular injury.”

O’Connell has passed for 899 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions in six games (four starts) this season. He missed four games earlier this season after breaking his right (throwing) thumb in Week 7 against the Los Angeles Rams.

Las Vegas star defensive end Maxx Crosby also missed Thursday’s session as he deals with an ankle injury.

Crosby has 7.5 sacks in 12 games this season while seeing his production slip. The three-time Pro Bowl selection had a career-best 14.5 sacks last season to mark his third time in double digits since entering the league in 2019 when the franchise was in Oakland.

Defensive tackle Adam Butler (concussion) and cornerback Sam Webb (back) also missed practice for the Raiders.

–Field Level Media

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Desmond Ridder (10) throws a pass in the third quarter of the NFL Week 9 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Las Vegas Raiders at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. The Bengals collected their first win at home with a 41-24 victory over the Raiders.

Raiders (2-11) hand QB1 to Desmond Ridder with Falcons up next

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Another week, another loss and a new starting quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders.

Desmond Ridder becomes the QB1 for the Raiders (2-11) in Week 15 as Las Vegas prepares to host his former team, the Atlanta Falcons (6-7), next Monday night.

Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce said Monday an official diagnosis of Aidan O’Connell’s injured knee was expected later in the day.

“Desmond Ridder will be the starter for now,” Pierce said.

O’Connell is expected to miss the rest of the season and Pierce said the injury “doesn’t look good.”

He was carted to the locker room with an air cast on his left leg after being pushed from behind by Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive lineman Calijah Kancey in the third quarter on Sunday. The Raiders soon ruled O’Connell out for the rest of the game with a knee injury.

The Raiders have lost nine consecutive games and failed to score 20 points in each of the past four defeats.

O’Connell began the season as a backup but became the starter after Gardner Minshew suffered a broken collarbone on Nov. 24.

O’Connell was fleeing pressure toward the right sideline with 1:23 left in the quarter when Kancey shoved him from behind after the play. No penalty was called.

O’Connell, who was 11-for-19 for 104 yards and an interception, was replaced by Ridder.

The 26-year-old O’Connell finished the day with a 63.2 completion percentage for 899 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions over six games (four starts) in his second NFL campaign.

–Field Level Media

Dec 8, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) throws the ball during the first half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Raiders QB Aidan O’Connell (knee) carted off

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell was carted to the locker room with an air cast on his left leg after being pushed from behind by Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive lineman Calijah Kancey in the third quarter on Sunday.

The Raiders soon ruled O’Connell out for the rest of the game with a knee injury.

O’Connell was fleeing pressure toward the right sideline with 1:23 left in the quarter when Kancey shoved him from behind after the play. No penalty was called.

O’Connell began the season as a backup but became the starter after Gardner Minshew suffered a broken collarbone on Nov. 24.

O’Connell, who was 11-for-19 for 104 yards and an interception, was replaced by Desmond Ridder.

The 26-year-old entered the day with a 64.1 completion percentage for 795 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions over his first five games (three starts) of his second NFL campaign.

–Field Level Media

Sep 29, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) warms up before a game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Raiders activate Aidan O’Connell, place Gardner Minshew on IR

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Las Vegas Raiders activated Aidan O’Connell from injured reserve Thursday and placed fellow quarterback Gardner Minshew and cornerback Jakorian Bennett on IR.

The Raiders also signed wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. and activated running back Sincere McCormick and cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly.

O’Connell had been sidelined since injuring his thumb in Las Vegas’ 20-15 setback to the Los Angeles Rams on Oct. 20. He will start for the Raiders (2-9) on Friday when they face Patrick Mahomes and the host Kansas City Chiefs (10-1).

The Raiders lost starter Minshew for the season to a broken collarbone in the team’s 29-19 loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday.

O’Connell, 26, returned to practice on Monday and received first-team reps. He has completed 52 of 82 passes for 455 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in four games (two starts) this season.

He threw for 2,218 yards with 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 11 games (10 starts) as a rookie last season. He was selected by Las Vegas in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Bennett, 24, has 26 tackles in 10 games (seven starts) this season.

Marshall, 24, has played in one game with Las Vegas this season. He has 64 catches for 767 yards and one touchdown in 37 games (16 starts) with the Carolina Panthers.

McCormick, 24, has rushed five times for 33 yards in two games this season.

Kelly, 23, has five tackles in nine career games with four teams.

–Field Level Media

Sep 22, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew (15) throws the ball against the Carolina Panthers in the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Reports: Gardner Minshew to remain Raiders’ QB1

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The Las Vegas Raiders will not replace starting quarterback Gardner Minshew with Aidan O’Connell, NFL Network reported.

ESPN reported Tuesday that “nothing was ever pondered” regarding a possible QB change for Sunday’s home game against the Cleveland Browns.

Raiders coach Antonio Pierce on Monday wouldn’t commit to Minshew remaining the starter in the wake of Sunday’s 36-22 home loss to the Carolina Panthers.

“I don’t think it was the team. I think there was definitely some individuals that made business decisions,” Pierce said Monday, “and we’ll make business decisions going forward as well.”

Minshew completed 18 of 28 passes for 214 yards, one touchdown and one interception before O’Connell took over. O’Connell, who started 10 games for the Raiders last season, went 9-of-12 passing for 82 yards and a TD. He led the team on a 13-play, 70-yard scoring drive.

In the first year of a two-year contract with $15 million guaranteed, Minshew has completed 73.7 percent of his passes for 747 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions for the 1-2 Raiders.

–Field Level Media

Sep 15, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce walks the field before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Raiders’ Pierce stands by ‘business decision’ comment; QB change possible

Posted on | by Field Level Media

On Monday, Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce did not back away from comments he made about certain unnamed members of his team following Sunday’s 36-22 loss to the Carolina Panthers.

Upset with the Raiders’ showing against the previously winless Panthers, Pierce was asked how concerned he was about his team’s effort in a game Las Vegas trailed by as many as 26 points.

“I don’t think it was the team. I think there was definitely some individuals that made business decisions,” Pierce said, “and we’ll make business decisions going forward as well.”

Come Monday’s day-after press conference, Pierce was asked about that particular remark and doubled down, saying, “I don’t bite my tongue.”

It tracked for the straight-talking 45-year-old, a former NFL linebacker selected to the 2006 Pro Bowl. Players gave Pierce a ringing endorsement for the Raiders’ head-coaching position after he guided them to a 5-4 finish as the interim coach following the midseason firing of Josh McDaniels in 2023.

Pierce told reporters he would address the team later on Monday and be “very direct.”

“Because it is what it is,” Pierce said, “and that’s what we’re gonna do, call a spade a spade.”

So far, the Raiders’ “business decisions” have not included a change at QB1.

Pierce didn’t rule out benching Gardner Minshew for Aidan O’Connell, merely saying he had to “get with the players and evaluate everything from (Sunday) first.”

Minshew completed 18 of 28 passes for 214 yards, one touchdown and one interception before O’Connell took over. O’Connell, who started 10 games for the Raiders last season, went 9-of-12 passing for 82 yards and a touchdown.

The Raiders’ issues appeared to be far deeper than the signal-caller. The offense gained just 55 rushing yards on 16 attempts, and the defense was gashed by Andy Dalton in his first start for the Panthers following Bryce Young’s benching.

“The effort wasn’t up to par as it had been in the previous games, and that showed up,” Pierce said. “That didn’t look good at the end of the game.”

–Field Level Media

Dec 31, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (4) passes the ball in the first half against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Aidan O’Connell is early leader in Raiders’ QB competition

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Aidan O’Connell started 10 games as a rookie for the Las Vegas Raiders and has shown further progression in the offseason.

So despite the addition of veteran Gardner Minshew, O’Connell is the early leader in the club’s quarterback battle.

“Aidan’s earned the right to go out there and earn the first snap,” Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said Friday. “What he’s done this offseason — changing his body, his work ethic, being here every day, blocking out the outside noise. He’s not worried about anything. I’m excited.

“Then you bring Gardner in here … talk about personality. … It’s great. It’s great for our building. It’s great for our quarterback room. And if you got competition in the quarterback room, what does every other room look at?”

O’Connell, 25, completed 62.1 percent of his passes for 2,218 yards, 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 11 games last season after being a fourth-round pick out of Purdue. He was 5-5 in his 10 starts.

He was especially good late in the season, firing eight touchdown passes against no interceptions over the final four games.

Minshew, who turns 28 next Thursday, was signed in the offseason as a free agent after spending last season with the Indianapolis Colts. He passed for 3,305 yards, 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 17 games (13 starts) and was a Pro Bowler for the first time.

But with the Colts committed to Anthony Richardson as their long-term option at quarterback, Minshew departed and chose the Raiders as his best option to get on the field in 2024.

Las Vegas general manager Tom Telesco says his team has two good options at quarterback competing for the job.

“That’s the plan is to have both those guys really compete through the offseason program, but more so in training camp, and we’ll see how it plays out,” Telesco said.

“I thought Aidan did an excellent job last year in a really difficult situation where the head coach changed, the (offensive) coordinator changed and he played really good football down the stretch. I’ve had a chance to be around him a little bit more in the building and you kind of see the quarterback intangibles that are there, which is nice to have, that you have to have as a franchise quarterback.

“And then with Gardner, you know, Gardner played well last year with the Colts. I mean, he was in the Pro Bowl, so obviously had a pretty good year. He’s always performed at a high level when he’s given that opportunity, so to have both those guys here competing for the job, we’ll see how it goes.”

Pierce is in his first full season as Raiders coach after replacing the fired Josh McDaniels at midseason and guiding Las Vegas to a 5-4 record over the final nine games. And he likes what he sees, while understanding that the season is still four months away.

“What I see is guys getting out there early,” Pierce said. “Aidan is already kind of taking the bull by the horn and he’s leading the way, and Minshew’s right there doing it as well.

“Two guys that played against each other last year, they went neck to neck. But I’m really excited to see what happens. I think it’s going to be a process. We’re going to stick to the process.”

–Field Level Media

Jan 7, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) looks at the big screen during second half of the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings won’t trade Justin Jefferson; new deal was ‘close’ last year

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INDIANAPOLIS — Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has no interest in trading star wide receiver Justin Jefferson.

“That is not something that once crossed my mind,” Adofo-Mensah told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine on Tuesday. “You’ve got a blue(-chip) player, a blue(-chip) person. You try and keep as many of those as you can.”

Jefferson, the NFL Offensive Player of the Year two seasons ago, had his 2023 season interrupted by a hamstring injury but still finished with 68 receptions for 1,074 yards and five touchdowns. He’s entering the fifth and final year of his rookie contract.

Adofo-Mensah told reporters the Vikings got “unbelievably close” to an extension agreement with Jefferson last spring, but that those deals don’t tend to get done after a player’s third year because of the uncertainty on both ends.

According to the GM, the Vikings believe Jefferson should be among the highest-paid players in the league.

“We’ve said it, and we continue to say, we think he’s the best receiver in the league and should be compensated as such,” Adofo-Mensah said. “We think he’s one of the best non-quarterbacks in the league, and should be compensated as such. So we’ll continue to have those dialogues and those conversations.

“I promised (Jefferson and his camp), and I will continue to promise them, I will not talk about our negotiations. I think the job should be done with integrity. So a lot of stuff that I hear is completely false, but I can’t get up here and tell you what’s not true or not false, because that’s not that’s not how I promised them I would operate.”

The “completely false” stuff, as it turns out, includes considering a trade.

“We’re excited to have him and continue those conversations because he’s somebody we want around for a long time,” Adofo-Mensah said.

Among the question marks involved in Jefferson’s decision is who will be throwing him the ball long-term. Kirk Cousins, who will turn 36 before the start of the new season, will have his contract void March 13 unless the Vikings reach an extension with him.

Complicating matters, Cousins ruptured his right Achilles in late October and is in the middle of rehabbing the first major injury of his NFL career. He posted a video to social media Monday showing him backpedaling and throwing on an indoor tennis court.

“You know Kirk, obviously again, another person we’ve had these dialogues the past couple of seasons, had a great conversation with him a few days ago,” Adofo-Mensah said. “Same thing, though, with the other day. It’s, we have our interests. He has his. We’ll get to the table to see if we can figure out a creative solution and kind of meet in the middle. That’s what every contract negotiation is. And that’s what it’ll be with him.”

The GM said Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has talked with Jefferson about the team’s quarterback situation.

“I think any great player, especially a wide receiver should want to have a great quarterback, who’s accurate and is gonna throw him the football when he’s open,” Adofo-Mensah said. “And he gets open better than anybody else in the league. So that is something that’s important.

“… I think you got to treat players like partners, you got to bring them in and have those conversations with them. And that’s something we’ll do with Justin.”

–Field Level Media

Aug 13, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) and quarterback Aidan O'Connell (4) watch from the sidelines against the San Francisco 49ers in the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Raiders undecided on starting QB vs. Chargers

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Las Vegas Raiders interim head coach Antonio Pierce has yet to name his starting quarterback for Thursday’s game against the visiting Los Angeles Chargers.

“We’re still going through that process,” Pierce said Wednesday. “Got a couple more hours. See how it’s going.”

Rookie Aidan O’Connell has struggled since assuming the starting role for the Raiders (5-8), who saw their losing skid extend to three games following a lackluster 3-0 setback to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. O’Connell threw for just 171 yards and an interception in that loss.

“I never said Aidan wasn’t the starter, let’s say that first and foremost,” Pierce said. “We’re still evaluating it. If there’s a chance to get better, a chance to improve, a chance to put us in position to win, we gotta get all the factors that go into it.”

O’Connell, 25, has completed 63.8 percent of his passes for 1,365 yards with four touchdowns and seven interceptions in seven games this season. He was selected by Las Vegas in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Jimmy Garoppolo, 32, was benched after Josh McDaniels was fired as the team’s head coach on Nov. 1. Garoppolo had completed 65.5 percent of his throws for 1,205 yards with seven touchdowns and nine picks in six games this season.

Brian Hoyer, 38, has completed 23 of 42 passes for 231 yards with two interceptions in three games this season.

–Field Level Media

Nov 27, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs (15) warms up before the game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings to review QB options after Joshua Dobbs’ 4-INT night

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Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs threw four interceptions in a 12-10 loss to the Chicago Bears on Monday, throwing open the possibility Minnesota prepares another starter during the upcoming bye week.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell said he considered pulling Dobbs during the loss and turning to Nick Mullens.

He plans to give that option more thought during the bye as the Vikings (6-6) attempt to recover from back-to-back losses by a combined three points.

“We’re going to take a look and really evaluate the inventory of plays we have of Josh,” said O’Connell. “We got healthy. We got Jaren (Hall) back available to us, and then Nick Mullens is available as well.”

Dobbs said he let the team down by not making enough plays to get the win, crediting the defense for doing its part.

“Bye week, everyone will come back rejuvenated. I’ll be better, we’ll be better,” Dobbs said.

The Vikings acquired the 28-year-old Dobbs, who is playing for his seventh NFL team, days after losing starting quarterback Kirk Cousins to a season-ending Achilles injury.

He led a comeback win off the bench in his first game at Atlanta in Week 9.

–Field Level Media