Raiders Backup QB O’Connell Injured, Expected to Undergo Surgery

Las Vegas, NV — The Raiders’ backup quarterback, Aidan O'Connell, suffered a fractured right wrist during the team’s preseason finale against the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday night. Coach Pete Carroll announced the injury will require surgery, sidelining O’Connell for an estimated six to eight weeks.

The injury occurred after O’Connell led a 10-play, 32-yard drive, ending with a 52-yard field goal. After the drive, he was attended to by trainers before leaving for the locker room. He later returned with a splint on his wrist, while rookie quarterback Jake Miller took over.

With O’Connell out, the team’s depth at quarterback diminishes to starter Jimmy Garoppolo and Miller. Carroll indicated that the Raiders will actively seek another backup quarterback while O’Connell recovers. “All possibilities are available right now,” Carroll said. “We’re looking everywhere to find the best guy that fits us.”

O’Connell, who is entering his third season, has accumulated 3,830 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in 20 career games. He missed multiple weeks last season due to a broken thumb and struggled with turnovers in the preseason.

“We don’t play as quick from huddle to the snap,” Carroll commented on the offense’s performance while O’Connell was at the helm. “We’re still trying to work that out.”

In Miller’s first appearance as a lead quarterback, he completed 12 of 24 passes for 124 yards. “We’ll see what happens here,” Carroll said regarding Miller’s readiness to be the Raiders’ second-string quarterback. The Raiders aim to solidify their quarterback situation before the regular season begins.