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Adam Schefter, ESPN Senior Author
With Jimmy Garoppolo dominated out resulting from a concussion and never making the journey to Los Angeles, the Raiders have determined to start out rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell towards the Chargers on Sunday, league sources advised ESPN.
The Raiders are opting to go together with O’Connell, a fourth-round draft choice, over veteran Brian Hoyer, who final gained a begin in October 2016. The 2 quarterbacks each acquired reps throughout observe final week whereas Garoppolo was within the concussion protocol, however O’Connell received the bulk — if not all — of the reps at observe by the tip of the week, in response to sources.
O’Connell will make his first NFL begin and try the primary passes of his professional profession in an AFC West divisional showdown at SoFi Stadium towards a Chargers protection that enters Sunday giving up a mean of over 450 yards per recreation via the primary three video games of this season.
O’Connell was a preseason standout this summer time, drawing comparisons from some NFL scouts and executives to Brock Purdy, one other late-round choose who received the chance to start out final season for the San Francisco 49ers.
In three preseason video games in August, O’Connell accomplished 43-of-62 passes (69.4%) for 482 yards and three touchdowns with out an interception. He left some Raiders followers questioning why he wasn’t the backup quarterback to open the season, when Las Vegas listed Hoyer because the No. 2 quarterback.
O’Connell additionally shined throughout his school profession at Purdue, the place he handed for 9,219 yards and 65 touchdowns.
“I feel the preseason was priceless for me on the time, simply to get on the market and play and get it underneath my belt,” O’Connell advised ESPN on Friday. “However I feel at this level it is fairly far gone and it is totally different groups and totally different schemes and totally different recreation plans for us. So I am joyful it occurred, however it is time to transfer on, I feel, and see what occurs.”
The Raiders signed Garoppolo to a three-year, $72.75 million free agent contract this offseason to interchange nine-year starter Derek Carr, at the same time as Garoppolo wanted surgical procedure on his left foot after coming to phrases with Las Vegas.
Garoppolo, who suffered the concussion in final Sunday evening’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, has missed not less than 16 regular-season and playoff video games due to harm since 2020.
