Another NFL week, Another questionable quarterback hit, another injury.
Raiders’ Aidan O’Connell was carted off the field on Sunday after falling awkwardly from a late hit by Buccaneers defensive tackle Calijah Kancey while scrambling to make a pass at Raymond James Stadium.
Late in the third quarter as the Raiders trailed 14-10, the second-year quarterback left the field with his left leg in an air cast with what the team announced as a knee injury.
As he was carted off, O’Connell did give the crowd a thumbs up in the air.
Raiders coach Antonio Pierce told reporters O’Connell’s knee “doesn’t look good.”
It’s another major injury blow for the Raiders, who saw their initial starter, Gardner Minshew, suffer a season-ending broken collarbone just two weeks ago.
Desmond Ridder, who signed off the Cardinals practice squad on Oct. 22, took O’Connell’s place as the only active quarterback for the Raiders.
If needed, wideout Jakobi Meyers is the team’s emergency signal caller.
Sunday was only O’Connell’s second start after coming off of injury reserve from a broken thumb on his right throwing hand that he hurt on Oct. 20.
He was the Raiders’ starter in the 2023 season, leading them to an 8-9 record.
Before exiting the game, O’Connell completed 11 of 19 passes for 104 yards with no touchdowns and one interception.
The Raiders (2-10) have struggled to find a rhythm this season due to major injury blows and sit at the bottom of the AFC West.
Last week, Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawerence was left concussed by a vicious hit by the Texans’ Azeez Al-Shaair. Lawrence, who was sliding on the play, has since been placed on injured reserve and will miss the rest of the season.