O'Connell completed 24 of 34 passes for 214 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in Sunday's 34-20 loss to the Chargers. He added four rushes for 13 yards.
O'Connell had effective moments early in the contest, particularly on a drive early in the second quarter during which he threw for 47 yards, including a 25-yard touchdown strike to Jakobi Meyers. However, he threw an interception just before halftime that resulted in the Chargers cashing in a touchdown, shifting the momentum in the game and seemingly taking the Raiders out of any offensive rhythm. O'Connell was also shaken up on a play during the came and backup Desmond Ridder came in for a short spell and ended up throwing two passes before O'Connell returned. Las Vegas struggled to settle on a starting quarterback throughout the season, and the team is likely to look for an upgrade at the position this offseason, potentially shifting O'Connell down the depth chart.
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Raiders' Aidan O'Connell: Tosses two TDs in win
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O'Connell completed 20 of 35 passes for 242 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 25-10 win over the Saints.
The second-year QB hit Jakobi Meyers for a three-yard score in the second quarter that put the Raiders in the lead for good, then capped his day with an 18-yard TD to Tre Tucker in the fourth. O'Connell is having a decent finish to the season, accounting for five touchdowns (four passing, one rushing) in his last four appearances against only one INT, but Las Vegas is still almost certain to look for an upgrade in the offseason. O'Connell will try to wrap up the campaign in style in Week 18 against the Chargers.
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Raiders' Aidan O'Connell: Manages Raiders to victory
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O'Connell completed 24 of 38 passes for 257 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions in Sunday's 19-14 win over the Jaguars. He added seven rushes for 12 yards.
O'Connell returned from a one-game absence and stabilized the Raiders' offense by not turning the ball over and taking only two sacks. He also completed three passes of at least 20 yards, two of which came in the first quarter. O'Connell has now thrown for multiple touchdowns in only one of his four starts on the season, but he has shown the ability to get the ball to the Raiders' top playmakers at a consistent clip.
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Raiders' Aidan O'Connell: Sleeper QBs
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O'Connell is back for Week 16 against Jacksonville after being out for Week 15 against Atlanta with a knee injury. In his last full game in Week 13 at Kansas City, O'Connell scored 23.6 Fantasy points, and this is a great matchup against the Jaguars, who are No. 1 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks. Three quarterbacks in the past six games against Jacksonville have scored at least 33.9 points, and O'Connell is a solid starter in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues.
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Raiders' Aidan O'Connell: No Week 16 injury designation
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O'Connell (knee) doesn't carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Jaguars after practicing fully this week.
Per Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com, head coach Antonio Pierce noted earlier Friday that O'Connell "should be good to go" and start Sunday versus Jacksonville. With the QB subsequently maintaining his full participation level and avoiding a Week 16 injury designation, O'Connell is poised to return the lineup after being inactive for this past Monday's loss to the Falcons, a game started by Desmond Ridder.
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Raiders' Aidan O'Connell: Back from knee injury
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O'Connell (knee) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, Paul Guteirrez of ESPN.com reports.
O'Connell's ability to practice without limitations suggests he'll be healthy enough to start in Sunday's game against the Jaguars, barring a setback. His return under center is welcome news for Raiders pass catchers Jakobi Meyers and Brock Bowers, who combined for only 94 receiving yards in Desmond Ridder's spot start during Monday's 15-9 loss to the Falcons.
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Raiders' Aidan O'Connell: Returns to practice
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O'Connell (knee) returned to practice Wednesday, Kevin Bollinger of Fox 5 Las Vegas reports.
Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce said Tuesday that O'Connell is trending toward playing in Sunday's game against Jacksonville, after the quarterback sat out a 15-9 loss to the Falcons on Monday. O'Connell didn't practice at all last week but was available as the emergency No. 3 quarterback in Monday's loss, with Desmond Ridder drawing the start and Carter Bradley serving as the top backup.
Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce said Tuesday that O'Connell (knee) is "trending upwards to play" Sunday against Jacksonville, Tashan Reed of The Athletic reports.
O'Connell was inactive for Monday's loss to the Falcons, but he was cleared to operate as Las Vegas' emergency third quarterback. Desmond Ridder struggled in his spot start versus Atlanta, throwing for 208 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in. A return to the lineup on O'Connell's part could provide a spark to the Las Vegas offense, which would be especially notable for rookie tight end Brock Bowers, who was limited to three catches for 35 yards (on six targets) with Ridder under center Monday.
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Raiders' Aidan O'Connell: Inactive, but emergency third QB
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O'Connell (knee) is inactive for Monday night's game against the Falcons, but he's available as the Raiders' emergency third quarterback behind Desmond Ridder and Carter Bradley.
O'Connell was deemed a non-participant in practice Thursday through Saturday and approached the contest listed as questionable, but the bone bruise to his left knee that he sustained during Week 14 action will end up sidelining the QB on Monday. In O'Connell's place, Ridder is in line to make his first start for the Raiders, while O'Connell will target a potential return to action this coming Sunday versus the Jaguars.
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Raiders' Aidan O'Connell: Looks like game-time decision
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O'Connell (knee) will use a pregame workout Monday to determine whether he'll play versus the Falcons, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
O'Connell didn't practice at all during the week due to a knee issue he picked up Week 14 at Tampa Bay, so Las Vegas is preparing as though 2022 third-rounder Desmond Ridder will start at quarterback Week 15. Whoever steps under center for the Raiders on Monday will be looking at an Atlanta defense that's been less than impressive so far this season, especially against the pass.
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Raiders' Aidan O'Connell: No practice, still questionable
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O'Connell (knee) is listed as questionable for Monday's game against the Falcons, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports.
O'Connell didn't practice all week, but the Raiders are evidently giving the second-year quarterback every avenue possible to return Monday from an injury, later discovered to be a bone bruise, that was so serious it required an MRI earlier in the week. In the event O'Connell can't play, Las Vegas would likely turn to Desmond Ridder against his former team. Expect more clarification regarding O'Connell's status to come before the 8:30 p.m. ET kickoff Monday.
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Raiders' Aidan O'Connell: Doesn't practice Thursday
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O'Connell (knee) didn't practice Thursday.
Per Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com, O'Connell suffered a bone bruise to his left knee late in the third quarter of the Raiders' loss to the Buccaneers this past Sunday. O'Connell now has two more opportunities to practice ahead of Monday night's game against the Falcons. If O'Connell is unavailable for the contest, Desmond Ridder would be in line to draw the Week 15 start at QB for Las Vegas.
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Raiders' Aidan O'Connell: Not yet ruled out for Week 15
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O'Connell has been diagnosed with a bone bruise in his left knee following an MRI undergone Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
O'Connell was forced out of Sunday's 28-13 loss to the Buccaneers with an air cast on his left leg, and he had to be carted off the field. All things considered, being diagnosed with only a bone bruise is a near best-case scenario for the second-year quarterback. Head coach Antonio Pierce said Monday he expects Desmond Ridder to start versus Atlanta on Monday Night Football, but it looks like O'Connell still could have a chance to start Week 15 if he can log a good week of practice.
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Raiders' Aidan O'Connell: Coach pessimistic with MRI upcoming
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Coach Antonio Pierce said after Sunday's 28-13 loss to the Buccaneers that O'Connell's knee injury "doesn't look good," per Vic Tafur of The Athletic, and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that O'Connell is set to undergo additional testing Monday.
O'Connell needed an air cast on his left leg immediately after getting hurt against the Buccaneers and was carted off the field. While official word on the severity of the injury won't come until after the results of Monday's MRI, it's likely that O'Connell's injury will keep him from suiting up for the Raiders' remaining four games, which would thrust Desmond Ridder into a starting role.
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Raiders' Aidan O'Connell: Hurts knee Sunday
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O'Connell was forced out of Sunday's game against the Buccaneers with a knee injury.
Per Tashan Reed of The Athletic, O'Connell's left leg was placed in an air cast prior to him being carted off the field Sunday. With O'Connell having suffered a potentially serious injury, Desmond Ridder is in line to take over at QB for the Raiders versus Tampa Bay.
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Raiders' Aidan O'Connell: Sleeper QBs
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O'Connell is worth a look in deeper leagues in Week 14, given the matchup at Tampa Bay, and he could be a surprise starter in one-quarterback leagues. The Buccaneers are No. 2 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks, and five of the past six quarterbacks against Tampa Bay have scored at least 25.6 Fantasy points, including Bryce Young in Week 13. O'Connell returned in Week 13 at Kansas City from a thumb injury and scored 23.6 Fantasy points, and he's a decent flier in deeper leagues in Week 14 if you're stuck at quarterback.
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Raiders' Aidan O'Connell: Resumes practicing in full
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Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce said Friday that O'Connell (illness) will be a full participant in practice, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports.
O'Connell missed practice Thursday due to an illness, but he's now back on full track for Sunday's road matchup against the Buccaneers. Pierce said the same is true of No. 1 wideout Jakobi Meyers, who sat out Thursday due to an ankle issue. It will be to the notable benefit of O'Connell -- who completed 23 of 35 passes for 340 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions during last week's 19-17 loss to the Chiefs -- to have Meyers and rookie tight end Brock Bowers, his two top targets, both healthy versus Tampa Bay.
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Raiders' Aidan O'Connell: Misses Thursday's practice
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O'Connell didn't practice Thursday due to an illness.
O'Connell practiced fully Wednesday, but his absence a day later makes his status for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers worth tracking. Friday's injury report will reveal whether there's any chance that the illness that sidelined O'Connell on Thursday could affect his Week 14 availability. Desmond Ridder is the Raiders' backup quarterback and would presumably start in the event O'Connell isn't healthy enough to do so Sunday.
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Raiders' Aidan O'Connell: Week 14 Waiver Priority List
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O'Connell returned in Week 13 at Kansas City from a thumb injury and scored 23.6 Fantasy points. And now he has a great upcoming schedule at Tampa Bay in Week 14, Atlanta in Week 15 and Jacksonville in Week 16. He should be rostered and started in all Superflex and two-quarterback leagues against the Buccaneers, and you can consider starting him in one-quarterback leagues as well. He's worth adding for up to 5 percent of your remaining FAB in one-quarterback leagues and at least 10 percent in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues.
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Raiders' Aidan O'Connell: Strong game marred by miscue
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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 also lost a fumble.
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 on Sunday, Dec. 8.
