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Rookie Aidan O’Connell, Las Vegas’ fourth-rounder from Purdue, is stepping up as their starting QB today with Jimmy Garoppolo out due to a concussion.
Vet Brian Hoyer, who backed up Garoppolo in the first three weeks of the season, will stay in his QB2 role.
Garoppolo got ruled out last night and couldn’t join the team’s trip to Los Angeles due to the concussion. O’Connell got more reps in practice as the week went on.
Pinpoint #BigTimeThrow by Aidan O’Connell
— Steve Palazzolo (@PFF_Steve) August 20, 2023
It’s not every day you see a third-string QB jump over a backup, but this choice seems logical per Rapoport.
O’Connell left a mark during the preseason, passing for 482 yards with three touchdowns and no picks and a quarterback rating of 108.4.
Starting O’Connell gives the Raiders a chance to not only field a QB who can win games but also evaluate their rookie talent.