RAIDERS

Injury update: Gardner Minshew replaces Aidan O'Connell who leaves with injury

Levi Damien
USA TODAY Sports
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 22: Gardner Minshew II #15 and Aidan O'Connell #12 of the Las Vegas Raiders warm up before a game against the Carolina Panthers at Allegiant Stadium on September 22, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)

In the first quarter of the Raiders vs Rams game, Aidan O'Connell left the game with an injury and headed for the locker room. When the Raiders offense returned to the field, Gardner Minshew was in at quarterback.

Minshew had been the starter for the first five games of this season. O'Connell had replaced Minshew as the Raiders starter in Week six against the Steelers.

O'Connell injured his thumb on a pass in which he was flagged for intentional grounding. He was soon ruled Questionable to return. Antonio Pierce told the broadcast in his sideline interview that he doesn't think O'Connell will be back today.

Minshew came in and led the Raiders on a scoring drive with Daniel Carlson connecting on a 38-yard field goal to put the Raiders up 3-0.

Update: Preliminary tests suggest O'Connell has a broken thumb, which could mean surgery and would threaten to end his season.