Raiders report: Aidan O’Connell practices, but status for ‘MNF’ uncertain
Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell participated in a walk-through practice Wednesday, a scenario that appeared unlikely when he was carted off the field Sunday at Tampa Bay with a knee injury.
“I was in a lot of pain,” O’Connell said. “… Then my knee wasn’t responding how the doctors hoped it would. You definitely fear the worst obviously going through that. But then got some imaging done, and it seems like it was definitely a best-case scenario.”
O’Connell has a bone bruise, according to the team. No official injury report was released Wednesday because the team doesn’t play until Monday.
Even though O’Connell did some work on the field Wednesday, it’s too soon to know whether he will be ready to play against the Falcons on “Monday Night Football” at Allegiant Stadium.
“I’m hoping to get there,” he said. “Obviously, we’ve got a longer week this week … and so just really taking it day by day.”
Coach Antonio Pierce echoed O’Connell’s thoughts.
“We’ll see how the week goes,” Pierce said before the walk-through.
Desmond Ridder, the Falcons’ third-round draft pick in 2022, would be in line to start against his former team if O’Connell isn’t available.
“As a backup, you’ve got to prepare as if you’re the starter,” Ridder said. “You have to prepare as if it could be any play.”
The Raiders signed quarterback Carter Bradley from the practice squad to the active roster Monday.
“Just dealing with the injuries and everything, we might as well have three quarterbacks up the way the season has been going,” Pierce said.
Bradley, a rookie out of South Alabama, has dressed for only one game this season, but said he prepares as if he is going to be the starter.
“I feel like we’re one step closer to the goal,” he said of the promotion.
Alone at the top
Pierce said Sincere McCormick will remain the lead running back even when Alexander Mattison returns, which should be this week.
“He deserves it,” Pierce said. “The last three games, he’s been running his tail off. So keep running, keep pushing those numbers up, see if we can get him to 100 (yards rushing).”
McCormick, just weeks removed from the practice squad, said the opportunity to start on “Monday Night Football” is a thrill.
“I’m excited,” he said. “My family is excited. Everybody back at the crib is excited and ready to tune in. This is a big role that I’m taking, but I’m going to continue to stay focused and act like it didn’t happen because I don’t want to lose track of how I got here. I have to continue to build and build and keep growing as an RB1.”
He made sure to give a nod to Mattison.
“Alex is my brother,” McCormick said. “We continue to motivate each other and help one another, and if I need to lean on him for something in the game, he’s always there. It’s a brotherhood in the backfield, so whoever is next up is next up.”
O’Connell excited about Odom
O’Connell expressed optimism about his alma mater’s hiring of former UNLV coach Barry Odom.
“It’s obviously cool to have a couple connections,” the former Purdue quarterback said. “I haven’t been able to meet him yet, but I’m excited to do that sometime this offseason. … He did a lot of good stuff here at UNLV, and I know he’s going to do the same at Purdue.”
Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on X.