Raiders were missing four players on Thursday
The Las Vegas Raiders released their first official Week 15 injury report on Thursday and starting quarterback Aidan O’Connell (knee) was listed as a non-participant in the Raiders’ first full practice of the week.
#Raiders‘ Thursday injury report: pic.twitter.com/KfkJ4Sfc6x
— Tashan Reed (@tashanreed) December 12, 2024
Las Vegas got good news regarding O’Connell earlier this week as his knee didn’t suffer any structural damage and the injury is a bone bruise instead. Then on Wednesday, Antonio Pierce said the starting quarterback participated in the team’s walk-through session.
However, O’Connell sat out of the full practice on Thursday as Desmond Ridder took the first-team reps with Carter Bradley and Jake Lutton serving as the backups, according to ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez.
O’Connell could still suit up on Monday Night Football against the Atlanta Falcons as the extra day to recover certainly helps. If he can’t go though, Ridder—who was the Falcons’ starting quarterback last season and was drafted in the third round two years ago by the club—will get to face his former team in a revenge game.
Also missing practice on Thursday were defensive tackle Adam Butler (concussion), defensive end Maxx Crosby (ankle) and cornerback Sam Webb (back). Cornerback Nate Hobbs (ankle), tight end Justin Shorter (back) and wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (ankle) were limited while running back Alexander Mattison (ankle) was a full participant to round out the report.
Hobbs has missed the past four games, so him practicing may be a good sign. Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said Wednesday he thought Mattison would be able to play Monday and him practicing fully after missing three games is an indication of that. Still, Sincere McCormick will be the primary running back against the Falcons.
