Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew II suffered a broken collarbone during Sunday’s 29-19 loss to the Denver Broncos, coach Antonio Pierce confirmed Monday.
Due to the injury, the Raiders only have Desmond Ridder at quarterback. The Raiders placed Aidan O’Connell on injured reserve in October with a broken thumb.
O’Connell was reportedly given an initial timeline of four to six weeks to return, but could play Friday against the Chiefs if he can climb up without any problems. The Raiders announced Monday that O’Connell had returned to practice. His status for Friday’s game remains unclear.
Minshew suffered his injury on the Raiders’ penultimate drive with 2:57 left on the game clock and Denver ahead, 26-19. Cody Barton and Jonathon Cooper combined to sack Minshew on the first play of the drive. Barton’s tackle drove Minshew’s left (non-throwing) shoulder into the turf.
Minshew was sore after the game and walked off the field with the help of athletic trainers. Ridder finished the game at quarterback. On his second dropback he fumbled a bag. The Broncos recovered and converted the turnover into a field goal to extend their lead to two possessions with 1:56 remaining.
The Raiders signed Ridder off the Falcons’ practice squad in October when O’Connell injured his thumb. Depending on O’Connell’s status, the Raiders may be in the market to sign another quarterback in the wake of Minshew’s injury. Former Toledo and South Alabama quarterback Carter Bradley is on the Raiders’ practice squad. He’s never thrown an NFL pass.
The Raiders dropped to 2-9 with Sunday’s loss and were further out of the playoffs. Minshew’s injury will instead impact the race for the No. 1 pick in the draft. The Raiders are tied with the Jaguars and Giants for the worst record in the NFL.
