It is all going downhill for the Raiders.
If you are keeping a tally of misfortunes for the Las Vegas Raiders this season, you might need a second page. Their nightmare season went from bad to worse on Sunday when quarterback Gardner Minshew exited late in the fourth quarter after being crunched by Denver Broncos linebackers Cody Barton and Jonathon Cooper.
According to reports, Minshew has a fractured collarbone, which effectively ends Minshew’s season and any flicker of hope the Raiders might have been clinging to.
With a 29-19 loss to the Broncos, the Raiders slumped to 2-9.
Minshew’s injury might feel like the final nail, but the Raiders were already limping. Sunday’s loss was played without their top two running backs – Alexander Mattison and Zamir White – two starting cornerbacks, two key defensive linemen, and a starting safety. And let’s not forget rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell, who has been out since Week 7 with a fractured thumb.
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When Minshew went down, the Raiders turned to Desmond Ridder who played the remainder of the game. A three-yard scramble on second down and a fumble on the very next play after being flattened by Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto is how Ridder auditioned for Minshew’s replacement.
The 25-year-old has 17 fumbles in 22 games played which is enough to conclude that he is highly unlikely to start.
So, who is left?
Aidan O’Connell is likely to be the starter for the Raiders for the remainder of the season. The rookie QB is eligible to return from injured reserve this week, and the timing couldn’t be better-or worse, depending on how much optimism the Raiders have left for this season.
The deflated Raiders will next travel to Missouri to face reigning Superbowl champions Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Image Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
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