Raiders (2-11) hand QB1 to Desmond Ridder with Falcons up next

Field Level Media|published: Mon 9th December, 14:57 2024

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Desmond Ridder (10) throws a pass in the third quarter of the NFL Week 9 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Las Vegas Raiders at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. The Bengals collected their first win at home with a 41-24 victory over the Raiders.

Another week, another loss and a new starting quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders.

Desmond Ridder becomes the QB1 for the Raiders (2-11) in Week 15 as Las Vegas prepares to host his former team, the Atlanta Falcons (6-7), next Monday night.

Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce said Monday an official diagnosis of Aidan O'Connell's injured knee was expected later in the day.

"Desmond Ridder will be the starter for now," Pierce said.

O'Connell is expected to miss the rest of the season and Pierce said the injury "doesn't look good."

He was carted to the locker room with an air cast on his left leg after being pushed from behind by Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive lineman Calijah Kancey in the third quarter on Sunday. The Raiders soon ruled O'Connell out for the rest of the game with a knee injury.

The Raiders have lost nine consecutive games and failed to score 20 points in each of the past four defeats.

O'Connell began the season as a backup but became the starter after Gardner Minshew suffered a broken collarbone on Nov. 24.

O'Connell was fleeing pressure toward the right sideline with 1:23 left in the quarter when Kancey shoved him from behind after the play. No penalty was called.

O'Connell, who was 11-for-19 for 104 yards and an interception, was replaced by Ridder.

The 26-year-old O'Connell finished the day with a 63.2 completion percentage for 899 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions over six games (four starts) in his second NFL campaign.

--Field Level Media