Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell was carted to the locker room after taking a massive shot from a Tampa Bay Buccaneers defender.
Aidan O’Connell is being carted off the field. There is a full air cast on his left leg. He was pushed from behind after he threw the ball on the run outside the pocket. Should have been a flag.
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) December 8, 2024
O’Connell appears to have suffered a significant leg injury, as he was placed in a full air cast to ensure his leg was stabilized.
Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images
O’Connell was attempting to drop back and was almost immediately hit by two Bucs defenders. His leg appeared to be rolled up with the two defenders barreling down on him.
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Shortly after the hit, the cart came out to transport O’Connell to the locker room, while an air cast was placed on his leg. This is tough for the Raiders, who have now placed Desmond Ridder into the game.
The Raiders have dealt with plenty of adversity in 2024, and losing O’Connell in this manner is certainly adding to that adversity. The hope is the young quarterback avoided a serious injury.
Raiders already have ruled out QB Aidan O’Connell with a knee injury after he left the field with his left leg in an air cast. https://t.co/CCiibKxqGU
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 8, 2024
O’Connell has already been ruled out with a knee injury. The worst-case scenario is that he suffered something along the lines of a broken bone or ACL tear. The good news would be that he suffered something minor like a sprain.
O’Connell is set to get more tests to determine the extent of the injury, and the Raiders will now continue with Ridder under center.
The Raiders are currently 2-10 and are looking to end their season with some much-needed wins. They are currently on an eight-game losing streak but have been competitive with the Bucs at the time of this writing.
Sadly, the Raiders will now have to pivot and attempt a win without O’Connell. He finished the day with 104 yards and one interception on 11-for-19 pass attempts. Ridder will now have to try and lead the team to a win.
Earlier this season, the Raiders chose to fire offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, along with offensive line coach James Cregg and quarterbacks coach Rich Scangarello. Las Vegas chose to retain Antonio Pierce as head coach, but that could change after this season.
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Despite essentially cleaning house on the offensive side of the ball, the Raiders have not seen much success. Pierce being on the hot seat is just speculation, but he currently has a 7-14 record so far.
Pierce was named interim head coach in 2023 after Josh McDaniels was fired. Following the conclusion of the 2023 season, Pierce was then named the head coach for the Raiders. This is still his true first season leading the team, but the sample size could be enough for him to be let go by the end of 2024.
For more on the Raiders, head to Newsweek Sports.
