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Ryan McFadden
Las Vegas Raiders backup QB Aidan O’Connell has sustained a fractured right wrist during the team’s 20-10 defeat against the Arizona Cardinals in the preseason finale on Saturday night.
Head coach Pete Carroll indicated that O’Connell will require surgery and is projected to be out for a duration of six to eight weeks.
After the Raiders executed a 10-play, 32-yard scoring drive that culminated in a 52-yard field goal by Daniel Carlson early in the second quarter, O’Connell received attention from trainers on the sidelines before heading to the locker room.
O’Connell reemerged from the locker room later in the quarter sporting a splint on his right hand, as rookie Cam Miller assumed the quarterback role. A sixth-round selection, Miller went 12 for 24 with 124 passing yards and a passer rating of 61.5.
«[O’Connell] is going to be out for some time,» Carroll remarked. «We need to assess our options and continue to develop Cam.»
Entering his third NFL season, O’Connell has amassed 3,830 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions over 20 career games, including 17 starts. Last season, he was sidelined for several weeks due to a broken thumb.
O’Connell displayed inconsistency during his initial training camp under Carroll, having committed four turnovers, which included three interceptions in three preseason games. He suffered a strip-sack in the first quarter against Arizona, ultimately leading to a game-tying touchdown catch by Cardinals wide receiver Simi Fehoko.
Besides the turnovers, Carroll noted that the offense’s pace slowed while O’Connell was at the helm.
«We don’t transition from huddle to snap as quickly,» Carroll stated. «We are still working on that.»
With O’Connell likely heading to injured reserve, the quarterbacks on the Raiders roster are down to starter Geno Smith and Miller, suggesting that they may seek to add another quarterback.
When Carroll was queried about Miller’s readiness to serve as the Raiders’ backup QB, he replied, «We’ll see.»
Miller, who has primarily operated with the third-string offense, finished the preseason with 32 completions on 61 attempts for 305 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
«Let’s see what unfolds,» Carroll concluded. «I’ll need to review the film.»
