The Las Vegas Raiders and third-year QB Aidan O’Connell got some devastating news on the injury front early Sunday morning. O’Connell, the Raiders’ backup quarterback, suffered a fractured wrist in Saturday’s preseason action and is expected to miss between six and eight weeks, per Ari Meirov.
This leaves the Raiders in a dire quarterback predicament. Geno Smith, the former starter in Seattle, was acquired in a trade this offseason to be the new quarterback in Las Vegas. He’s stable at the top of the depth chart, but O’Connell was supposed to be the primary backup. He has plenty of starting experience in the NFL despite this being his third year in the league, and he offers stability in that role. With his injury, sixth-round rookie Cam Miller is the only healthy passer on the roster aside from Smith.
Aidan O’Connell Offers a High Floor as a Backup Quarterback
Steoh Chambers/GettySEATTLE, WASHINGTON – AUGUST 07: Aidan O’Connell #12 of the Las Vegas Raiders passes during the NFL Preseason 2025 game between Las Vegas Raiders and Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on August 07, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Though he wasn’t initially drafted to be the starter, O’Connell was thrust into that role as a rookie and played extensively in his second season, as well. Across his two years in the league, he’s started 17 games for Las Vegas, putting up a combined stat line of 3,380 passing yards and 20 touchdowns to 11 interceptions on a 62.6-percent completion rate. He added 41 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground, as well.
O’Connell is a former walk-on at Purdue and began the 2019 season as the seventh-string quarterback on the depth chart. Due to a rash of injuries, he started several games that season and played well, eventually cementing himself as the long-term starter and becoming one of the best quarterbacks in the Big Ten. He was a fourth-round pick by the Raiders in 2023.
What Are the Las Vegas Raiders’ Options at Quarterback With This News?
With O’Connell set to miss up to a month-and-a-half of the season, the Raiders will probably be in the market for a new backup quarterback. It’s unlikely they’ll want Miller to be one injury away from checking into a game, so they’ll examine their options.
They could inquire with the Browns, who are set to enter the season with four quarterbacks on the active roster. Cleveland won’t part with starter Joe Flacco or third-round rookie Dillon Gabriel, but perhaps the Raiders could pry away Kenny Pickett or fifth-round rookie Shedeur Sanders, who’s coming off a poor preseason performance.
The Eagles are another option, as they just traded for former Vikings QB Sam Howell this morning. With Tanner McKee and Howell the likely backups behind starter Jalen Hurts, that leaves rookie Kyle McCord and Dorian Thompson-Robinson on the outside looking in for a roster spot.
The Raiders could also wait until roster cuts are finalized and claim or sign one of the cut quarterbacks. But that’s a risky move none of their preferred options become available.
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