Raiders’ Gardner Minshew Out For Season

Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew suffered a season-ending broken collarbone against the Broncos in Week 12, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo.

Minshew left the game early in the fourth quarter after being sacked by Cody Barton and Jonathon Cooper. Desmond Ridder finished the game at quarterback for the Raiders, completing five of his 10 passing attempts for 64 yards and a 70.4 passer rating.

Las Vegas will now have to decide between Ridder and 2023 fourth-rounder Aidan O’Connell as their starting quarterback next week. O’Connell is still on injured reserve after a broken thumb suffered in October, but he is eligible to return this week. He is likely the team’s preferred choice – the Raiders only signed Ridder after O’Connell’s injury – but his original return timeline was expected to be four to six weeks.

O’Connell’s practice availability will be a major indicator of his potential to play in Week 13, but he will have less time than usual to prepare with the Raiders playing the Chiefs on Friday. If he is designated to return to practice this week, he should be able to start. However, if there are any setbacks – or if O’Connell’s thumb is simply not healed yet – then Ridder will start under center in Kansas City with practice squad quarterback Carter Bradley likely to be elevated for backup duties.

More to come.