Aidan O'Connell's knee injury is far less severe than it initially appeared.
An MRI confirmed Monday that the Las Vegas Raiders quarterback suffered a bone bruise in Sunday's loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per sources. Miraculously, he has not been ruled out for next Monday's game despite exiting Las Vegas' Week 14 contest with his left leg in an air cast.
Following the defeat, Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce said O'Connell's knee injury didn't "look good." It looked much better on Monday.
If O'Connell cannot go in a week's time, it will be Desmond Ridder under center to face the Atlanta Falcons, his former team, Pierce said Monday. Ridder would be the Raiders' third starting QB of the season if O'Connell is sidelined.
It's been a rough year for Raiders QBs. O'Connell came off injured reserve due to a broken thumb suffered in Week 7 just in time to take over for Gardner Minshew, who was dealt a season-ending broken collarbone in Week 12.
Then, O'Connell was injured again in the third quarter of Las Vegas' 28-13 defeat to Tampa Bay. Rolling right, the QB hit Jakobi Meyers for an 8-yard gain. He was shoved hard -- and possibly a step or two late -- in the back by Calijah Kancey.
O'Connell's left leg was then put in an air cast and he was carted away, fearing the worst.
Once thought over, O'Connell's second season, which saw him lose a preseason QB1 battle to Minshew before replacing him as the starter in Week 6 prior to his thumb injury, may now continue.
AOC has started four of six games played in 2024, completing 63.2% of his passes for 899 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions.
