The Las Vegas Raiders are about to find out that having a quarterback battle competition only works when there are two or more options. Head coach Antonio Pierce is going to have to motivate Gardner Minshew without having the threat of being benched to fall back on.
The Las Vegas Raiders benched Gardner Minshew twice
Minshew was benched twice this season before head coach Antonio Pierce named second-year quarterback Aidan O’Connell as his permanent starter in Week 6. Unfortunately for the Raiders, O’Connell suffered an injury against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 7.
Aidan O’Connell is headed to injured reserve
Per Ian Rapoport with the NFL Network, the Raiders placed O’Connell on injured reserve for a thumb injury.
“Raiders QB Aidan O’Connell is heading to Injured Reserve with a fractured thumb, sources tell me and Mike Garafolo following tests,” Rapoport wrote on X. “O’Connell, who had resumed starting before his injury, is out 4-6 weeks. He has a chance to return the season.'”
#Raiders QB Aidan O’Connell is heading to Injured Reserve with a fractured thumb, sources tell me and @MikeGarafolo following tests.
O’Connell, who had resumed starting before his injury, is out 4-6 weeks. He has a chance to return the season. pic.twitter.com/NKLByRwU8c
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 21, 2024
A bad QB situation in Las Vegas
O’Connell went 6-of-10 passing for 52 yards before exiting Sunday. Minshew would go 15-of-34 passing for 154 yards and three interceptions in the Raiders’ 20-15 loss to the Rams.
The 2-5 Raiders are set to play the 6-0 Kansas City Chiefs in Week 8. Minshew will head into that game with a 4-to-8 touchdown touchdown-to-interception ratio. Pierce will have no recourse if Minshew continues to malfaction against the Raiders’ bitter AFC West rival.
For More Las Vegas Sports News:
Follow me on Twitter at @JordanSig. You can also reach out to Jordan Sigler via email at jordanmsigler@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in college and NFL news, click here!
