Raiders Hit Hard: Aidan O’Connell’s Wrist Injury Shakes Up QB Depth Chart

Raiders Take Another Quarterback Hit: Aidan O’Connell’s Injury Throws Depth Chart Into Chaos

The Las Vegas Raiders can’t seem to catch a break when it comes to quarterbacks. Just when it looked like things were finally settling down under new head coach Pete Carroll, disaster struck in their last preseason matchup against the Arizona Cardinals.

On Saturday, Aidan O’Connell, the young quarterback out of Purdue who was expected to hold down the backup role, went down with a wrist fracture. The injury happened in the second quarter, cutting his night short after a promising start where he completed 3-of-4 passes for 36 yards. Raiders fans who had just started to feel some optimism were left shaking their heads yet again.

The Harsh Reality of O’Connell’s Injury

The diagnosis? A broken wrist. Carroll didn’t sugarcoat it:

“He fractured his wrist — he’s hurt — it’s going to be a while. That’s a big blow for us,” Carroll admitted after the game.

And he wasn’t exaggerating. The Raiders were already working with a thin margin at quarterback, and losing O’Connell for six to eight weeks is the kind of setback that forces a team to shuffle their entire playbook.

For a guy who was supposed to be learning behind a veteran like Geno Smith, this was supposed to be the year O’Connell grew into a long-term contributor. Instead, his season starts with a cast and rehab.

From Promise to Pain: O’Connell’s Path So Far

It wasn’t all that long ago that the Raiders were buzzing about O’Connell’s potential. Drafted in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Purdue, he wasted no time carving out a role. In just two seasons, he logged 20 appearances and 17 starts. That’s not the kind of exposure most mid-round quarterbacks get this early, but the Raiders’ revolving door at the position made it inevitable.

Think about the list of quarterbacks Las Vegas has trotted out since Derek Carr’s departure in 2022: O’Connell, Jimmy Garoppolo, Brian Hoyer, Gardner Minshew, and Desmond Ridder. That’s five different names in just a short span. Stability has been nothing but a rumor in Vegas.

O’Connell became a fan favorite largely because he was scrappy. Not flashy, not loaded with elite athleticism, but gritty. He played smart, hung tough in the pocket, and showed flashes that suggested he might just be the next “diamond in the rough” quarterback story. That narrative is on pause now, and the Raiders have to decide what happens next.

Geno Smith’s Reunion with Pete Carroll

Here’s where things get even more interesting. Geno Smith, once left for dead in his career, has been given a new lease on life in Las Vegas. The Raiders pulled him in through a trade with the Seattle Seahawks this offseason, creating a reunion between Smith and Pete Carroll.

The Carroll-Geno partnership is one of the more underrated storylines in football. Under Carroll in Seattle, Smith went from career journeyman to Pro Bowler. Now, Carroll is banking on that same steady play to help stabilize the Raiders.

But here’s the issue: Smith can’t do it alone. He needs a reliable backup, especially when you consider the brutal hits quarterbacks take in today’s NFL. O’Connell was supposed to be that guy — the insurance policy that kept Raider Nation sleeping a little easier. With him out, the team’s quarterback depth suddenly looks alarmingly thin.

Who’s Next in Line?

That brings us to the burning question: Who slides into QB2?

During the preseason finale against Arizona, Carroll played both Smith and Cam Miller. Miller is raw, untested, and a complete unknown at the NFL level. Carroll admitted after the game that it’s “too early” to make a call on whether Miller will officially take that No. 2 spot behind Smith.

Here’s the problem with that uncertainty: the Raiders don’t have the luxury of time. The regular season is right around the corner, and relying on an unproven rookie (or practice squad body) as your primary backup is the kind of gamble that can derail a season before it ever gets rolling.

So, what’s the solution? Does Carroll roll with Miller out of necessity? Do the Raiders scan the waiver wire for a veteran? Could another trade be in the works? All of those scenarios are now on the table.

A History of Quarterback Headaches

It’s almost comical how snake-bitten this franchise has been since parting ways with Derek Carr.

• Derek Carr (2022) – The long-time starter and face of the franchise moves on to New Orleans.

• Jimmy Garoppolo – Brought in as the supposed stabilizer, but constant injuries derailed that experiment.

• Brian Hoyer – Veteran stopgap who never really inspired confidence.

• Gardner Minshew – Flashy at times, but not consistent enough to hold down the fort.

• Desmond Ridder – Another swing that didn’t stick.

And now, with O’Connell sidelined, the team’s quarterback chapter just keeps getting longer and messier.

The Fallout: What This Means for Vegas

Let’s be clear — this injury doesn’t tank the Raiders’ season by itself. Geno Smith is still healthy, and as long as he’s playing well, the team will compete. But it does add a layer of tension and pressure.

Pete Carroll, known for his calm demeanor and confidence in player development, now has to rework his plans on the fly. The Raiders were hoping for a clean slate this season, but once again, the quarterback conversation dominates the headlines.

And it’s not just about wins and losses. It’s about locker room stability, offensive play-calling, and giving fans a reason to believe the Raiders aren’t just cursed at the position.

Big Picture: The What-Ifs

Here are a few scenarios Raider Nation should keep an eye on:

• Six to Eight Weeks – If O’Connell returns healthy and Geno stays on track, this could just be a temporary bump in the road.

• Cam Miller’s Emergence – If Miller takes advantage of this window, the Raiders may have stumbled into a hidden gem.

• Veteran Signing – Don’t rule out a last-minute addition of an experienced backup for security.

• Trade Watch – If the front office feels the roster is otherwise playoff-ready, they might aggressively pursue another arm.

The truth? The Raiders’ quarterback situation feels like a never-ending soap opera, and this latest twist just adds another episode.

Closing Thoughts

The Raiders went into the 2025 season hoping to finally bury the chaos of the past two years. O’Connell’s injury makes that dream a little harder to reach. Still, with Geno Smith leading the charge and Carroll pulling the strings, Vegas has at least some hope of finding its footing.

For now, though, Raider Nation is once again forced to play the waiting game — waiting on O’Connell’s recovery, waiting to see if Cam Miller is ready for primetime, and waiting for this team to finally escape the quarterback drama that has followed them for far too long.

If one thing’s certain in Vegas, it’s this: the cards never fall the easy way.