Raiders report: QB misses practice, WR shines in key stat

Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell did not practice Thursday, according to the team’s injury report.

O’Connell was carted off the field in Sunday’s road loss to the Buccaneers with a knee injury, but later expressed relief at the prognosis and has said he hopes to start Monday night against the Falcons at Allegiant Stadium.

“That really is kind of out of my hands,” offensive coordinator Scott Turner said Thursday on whether he believed O’Connell would be able to play. “I mean, they’re going to ask my opinion, how I see him, but really it’s going to be the trainers, how he’s able to move and then obviously (coach Antonio Pierce) will make the final decision with all the information. But he’s got to be able to go to practice and show that he’s going to be able to move and play so he can protect himself and obviously be successful playing football.”

The Raiders said O’Connell participated in Wednesday’s walkthrough, but did not clarify to what extent.

Desmond Ridder would be in line to start against his former team if O’Connell is unable to go.

“They’re different types of players,” Turner said of trying to prepare both O’Connell and Ridder to start. “I think you try to play to your guys’ strengths, so we’ll be ready. We’re going to wait and defer to the trainers and doctors and see with Aidan, but we’ll kind of do a couple different things. We’ll have basically two types of plans ready to play to each guy’s strength, depending on which way it goes.”

Defensive end Charles Snowden, who is facing a charge of driving under the influence for an incident earlier in the week, participated in Thursday’s practice.

The team said in a statement it was aware of the incident.

“(We) have been in contact with the NFL and local authorities,” the Raiders said. “The club will not comment further as this is a legal matter.”

Sometimes, numbers do lie

A social media post by The 33rd Team proclaimed wide receiver Jakobi Meyers was having a historic season based on a key statistic.

The website, whose staff includes former NFL players, executives and coaches, said Meyers is the only receiver since 2000 that has been targeted at least 95 times and has not dropped a single pass.

It’s a difficult milestone to judge since it’s a somewhat subjective stat, but that doesn’t take away from Meyers’ consistent effort and focus.

“I guess if people want to know who Jakobi is and what he’s like, that defines it right there,” wide receiver Tre Tucker said. “It’s crazy. The amount of work he puts in and how natural he makes it look is elite.”

Meyers certainly seemed to drop a catchable pass Week 5 in Denver. Still, he can be proud of his numbers this season — 66 catches for 743 yards and two touchdowns — given the Raiders’ quarterback issues.

“I tell people all the time that he’s one of my favorite players I’ve ever been around,” Turner said. “His professionalism and his work and then his level of toughness is really unmatched at any position, but especially receiver. And he doesn’t really say a lot, but guys know he’s serious. He’s one of those guys that when he does talk, everybody listens.

“We know we can count on Jakobi at all times, whether it’s blocking or running routes or everything. He has a certain level of pride to him that he holds himself to a standard that is higher than anything that any of us could hold him to.”

Meyers said he was unaware of The 33rd Team’s post.

“I haven’t seen it, but that’s crazy,” he said. “A lot of work goes into (being consistent) and shout out to the quarterbacks that have given me the ball. All I have to do is see it through when it comes my way.”

Injury report

Defensive end Maxx Crosby, like O’Connell, did not practice Thursday as he continues to deal with an ankle injury he’s been managing all season.

Defensive tackle Adam Butler (concussion) and cornerback Sam Webb (back) also sat out.

Meyers and cornerback Nate Hobbs were both limited with ankle injuries, while tight end Justin Shorter was limited due to a back injury.

Running back Alexander Mattison, who has missed three straight games with an ankle injury, practiced Thursday in full.

Pierce said Wednesday he expects Mattison to play this week, though Sincere McCormick will remain the Raiders’ lead running back.

One thing to watch for with Atlanta is the status of wide receiver Darnell Mooney. He was limited Thursday with a foot injury.

Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on X.