Aidan O'Connell injury update: Latest on Raiders QB ahead of Week 16 game vs Jaguars

It's been a tough 2024 season for Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell. He battled Gardner Minshew for the starting quarterback job and lost as Minshew was the starter heading into the season.

After the team began the season 2-3 under Minshew, they benched him and named O'Connell their starter. In his second start of the season against the Los Angeles Rams on October 20, he suffered a fractured thumb and was later placed on injured reserve.

O'Connell returned in Week 13 and in his return against the Kansas City Chiefs, he threw for over 200 yards despite losing, 19-17, coughing up a fumbled snap in the final minute of the game. He suffered another injury a few weeks ago against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Aidan O'Connell injury update: Will Raiders QB play this Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars

Las Vegas QB Aidan O'Connell - Source: Getty

During the game agaisnt the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 14, Aidan O'Connell suffered a a bone bruise, causing him to miss this last week's Monday night game against the Atlanta Falcons. Backup quarterback Desmond Ridder got the start.

With O'Connell returning back from his injury, Las Vegas head coach Antonio Pierce provided some positive news about O'Connell, stating he "should be good" to go for Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Pierce said:

“He looked like he was good to go yesterday and looking for another good day today. Should be good to go on Sunday.”

The Las Vegas Raiders' quarterback for next season likely isn't on their roster

NFL fan in Las Vegas - Source: Getty

Heading into Week 16, the Las Vegas Raiders currently hold the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft with a 2-13 record. It's a race to the No. 1 pick as the New York Giants are also 2-13 with the second overall pick.

Five teams are just one game back as the New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars, Carolina Panthers, Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns each have 3-11 records.

Las Vegas will face the Jaguars, New Orleans Saints and the Los Angeles Chargers in their last three games. The Giants face the Atlanta Falcons, Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles to end the season.

Despite what happens over the next few weeks, the Raiders are very likely to have a top-five pick, and very likely to have a top-two pick. The two teams that need quarterbacks the most in the top five are the Giants and the Raiders.

Regardless of where the team selects, they will very likely draft a quarterback such as Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward. Who do you think it will be?