The Las Vegas Raiders have suffered through a litany of injuries at the quarterback position this season. After another injury at the position in Week 14, what do the Raiders have left at quarterback?
Las Vegas Raiders QB Depth Chart in Week 14
1) Aidan O’Connell
Aidan O’Connell started his fourth game of the season in Week 14 but had to leave the matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after getting carted off the field.
Gene Steratore says Calijah Kancey should have been flagged for an obvious roughing the passer penalty. Tough look for the Bucs.
Aiden O’Connell was carted off after this hit. Desmond Ridder is in at QB. pic.twitter.com/NUtndxHFrS
— The Pewter Plank (@ThePewterPlank)
O’Connell reassumed the starting spot in Week 13 after missing four games on injured reserve with a broken thumb. He had to return after missing the minimum amount of time required due to Gardner Minshew II suffering a broken collarbone in his last game in Week 12 vs. the Denver Broncos.
O’Connell has thrown four touchdowns and three interceptions this year to go along with 899 pass yards. He went 5-5 as a starter as a rookie in 2023, but has performed at a below-average level both years. O’Connell averaged -0.09 EPA per play as a rookie and has seen that figure drop to -0.15 in his sophomore campaign.
2) Desmond Ridder
Desmond Ridder, the former third-round pick of the Atlanta Falcons in 2022, has only been on the Raiders’ roster for less than two months. Ridder was signed off the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad on Oct. 21 after being traded to Arizona during the preseason.
Ridder started 17 games over two seasons with the Falcons, including 13 last year. But he never had a firm grasp on the starting job, with turnovers particularly dooming him. Ridder’s 19 turnovers were tied for fifth-most in 2023, despite him not playing in four games. That included six red zone turnovers, twice as many as any other player.
As a result, the Falcons moved on decisively by signing Kirk Cousins and drafting Michael Penix eighth overall. Now Ridder could receive a late-season audition to try and rebuild his value, as he’ll be a free agent after the season.
3) Carter Bradley
The Raiders only have two quarterbacks on their active roster, but they also have undrafted rookie Carter Bradley on the practice squad.
Bradley played at Toledo from 2018-21 and South Alabama from 2022-23. He set the South Alabama single-season record for passing yards (3,335) and passing touchdowns (28) during his first year with the program in 2022.
Bradley hasn’t appeared in a game yet this year, spending all season on the practice squad. But unless the Raiders choose to bring in a veteran signal-caller for the final month, Bradley will serve as Ridder’s backup if O’Connell is forced to miss time.
