“`html
HENDERSON, Nev. — Desmond Ridder may not get a chance to play against his former team; instead, he might have to watch the Falcons from the sidelines.
During the Raiders’ 28-13 defeat to the Buccaneers, quarterback Aidan O’Connell was carted off the field with his left knee in an air cast, raising concerns that he could be sidelined for the remainder of the season. Las Vegas head coach Antonio Pierce remarked afterward that O’Connell’s injury was serious and did not appear favorable.
However, the next day brought a more hopeful outlook. While Pierce did not provide specifics about O’Connell’s condition in a press briefing, sources indicated that it was a bone bruise, which might allow O’Connell to return for their upcoming game against Atlanta on Monday night.
If O’Connell is cleared to play, Ridder will miss out on the chance for revenge against the Falcons, the team he started 13 games with last season before his trade to Arizona. For the Raiders, O’Connell’s return is critical. He resumed play on November 29 after an extended absence due to a broken thumb and had impressive outings, throwing for 340 yards and two touchdowns in a narrow loss to Kansas City, prior to his recent injury.
O’Connell struggled against the Buccaneers, with only 104 yards in passing and a turnover. Pierce had opportunities earlier in the season to utilize Ridder but chose not to until circumstances dictated a change. If O’Connell requires more time to recover, starting Ridder could be acceptable due to the Raiders’ current nine-game losing streak, where they have little left to play for aside from pride and a better draft position. Ridder, who has been with the team for nearly two months, has shown potential and move the offense effectively at times.
“What’s unique is that he’s been in a lot of games,” Pierce commented. “It’s been a challenging season for us, but we have seen some positives. There are moments we wish we could replay, but fundamentally, he’s very competitive and serious about his role. If Aidan can’t play and Ridder is the starter, it offers him another fantastic chance to prove himself.”
Observing improvements, the Raiders’ offensive line appears to be gaining momentum following a shaky beginning. Stability has been crucial, as the same starting lineup has taken the field for the last four games. The presence of rookie players like center Jackson Powers-Johnson and right tackle DJ Glaze has infused fresh optimism. The team has managed to rush for 207 yards over the last two games, a marked improvement after failing to exceed 70 yards in any of the preceding four weeks.
On the flip side, the Raiders have struggled with situational football in recent weeks. A critical bad snap during the final offensive play against the Chiefs resulted in a missed opportunity for a game-winning field goal. Against Tampa Bay, the Raiders converted only 1 of 4 chances in the red zone.
In terms of performance boosts, running back Sincere McCormick and defensive end K’Lavon Chaisson stand out as bright spots in an otherwise dismal season. McCormick, who spent much of his first three NFL seasons on practice squads or injured reserve, has come alive with 175 rushing yards and an impressive 5.5 yards per carry over the last three games. Meanwhile, Chaisson, originally a first-round pick in 2020, has also found his groove, registering two sacks in the last couple of weeks and showcasing an impressive interception against the Bucs after tipping the ball to himself.
Conversely, running back Ameer Abdullah’s recent performances have been disappointing. He started the two previous games but only managed 67 yards off 18 attempts. With McCormick taking the lead against the Buccaneers, Abdullah only logged a single carry for 1 yard and caught a pass for a loss of 3. The availability of teammates Alexander Mattison (ankle) and Zamir White (quadriceps) may further reduce Abdullah’s chances for playtime.
Injury updates remain pending, particularly regarding the possible return of running backs Mattison and White, as well as cornerback Nate Hobbs, who is dealing with an ankle issue.
A striking statistic: the Raiders are among two teams that have trailed by double digits in every game to start a season, joining the 1986 Indianapolis Colts, who experienced the same in all 16 of their games.
Looking ahead, the Raiders are set to host the Falcons this coming Monday night.
“`
