Raiders Expected To Start Desmond Ridder In Week 15

Aidan O’Connell suffered a knee injury in Week 14 which was originally feared to end his season. The second-year Raiders quarterback is actually facing a much less serious timeline, but he is still not expected to play tonight.

As O’Connell rehabs his bone bruise, Vegas is set to turn elsewhere under center. The Raiders are expected to start Desmond Ridder in Week 15, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. O’Connell will take part in a pre-game warmup, but at this point Ridder is positioned to get the nod.

Provided that turns out to be the case, Ridder’s first start as a Raider will come against one of his former teams. The 25-year-old spent his first three seasons with Atlanta, Vegas’ Monday night opponent. In the wake of the Falcons’ reset at the QB spot this spring, Ridder was traded to the Cardinals in a swap for Rondale Moore. Arizona waived him during roster cutdowns, however, a move which opened the door to a departure. Ridder remained with the Cardinals on their practice squad until October.

O’Connell’s thumb injury led him to injured reserve at that time, creating the need for additional QB depth. Ridder was added as a backup option to Gardner Minshew, although the latter has since suffered a season-ending broken collarbone. With O’Connell now on the mend once again, Ridder is in line to see at least one start before the end of the campaign. The Raiders sit at 2-11 on the year, and Maxx Crosby‘s upcoming ankle surgery adds further to the extent to which 2024 is a lost season.

For Ridder, however, a run of starts would allow him to audition for either a depth role in Vegas for 2025 or a deal from another team. The Raiders are widely expected to pursue a quarterback this offseason via free agency and/or the draft (particularly if they land the No. 1 pick). Ridder should not be considered a contender for the starting gig in Vegas or on any other team, but his chances of securing a backup role could be boosted by his performance down the stretch.