Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell has been diagnosed with a bone bruise in his left knee after leaving Sunday’s 28-13 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a cart with an air blast to his left leg after being injured on a late hit which surprisingly did not draw a flag.
The initial fear was that O’Connell may have suffered a season-ending injury. But he hopes to play in Week 15’s Monday night game against the Atlanta Falcons, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The injury occurred late in the third quarter when the Bucs had a 14-10 lead. The game was O’Connell’s second back since missing four games with a broken thumb on his throwing hand.
Backup Desmond Ridder finished at quarterback, completing 12 of 18 passes for 101 yards.
The injury occurred after a late push in the back from Bucs defensive end Calijah Kancey. O’Connell made a passing play and threw the ball as he approached the sideline. Two steps after losing the ball, Kancey shoved him in the back.
Gene Steratore says Calijah Kancey should have been flagged for clearly violating the passer penalty. Tough quest for the Bucs.
Aiden O’Connell was taken away after this goal. Desmond Ridder is present at QB. pic.twitter.com/NUtndxHFrS
— The Pewter Plank (@ThePewterPlank) December 8, 2024
O’Connell fell to the turf and was in pain after the fall. He received immediate medical attention on the field. Athletic trainers placed an air cast on his left leg and he was taken off the field on a cart. The Raiders quickly ruled him out due to a knee injury.
The extent of O’Connell’s injury was not initially clear, but head coach Antonio Pierce said after the game that it “doesn’t look good.”
Officials failed to warn the passerby about Kancey’s egregious late goal. Given the outcome of the game, it wouldn’t be a surprise for the NFL to take another look this week.
