Aidan O'Connell injury

Aidan O'Connell's debut as the starting quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders ended abruptly due to a thumb injury sustained in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams, with initial assessments suggesting a broken thumb. O'Connell, who was 6-of-10 for 52 yards prior to his injury, expressed disappointment as he was eager to secure the starting role after taking over from Gardner Minshew earlier in the month. Minshew replaced O'Connell but struggled with turnovers, throwing three interceptions and losing a fumble, contributing to the Raiders' 20-15 loss. As O'Connell awaits further examination upon return to Las Vegas, the team faces uncertainty at the quarterback position, particularly due to the absence of a designated third quarterback for the game. Coach Antonio Pierce indicated that O'Connell is unlikely to return, complicating the Raiders' situation as they navigate a challenging season. The loss exacerbated the Raiders’ struggles, further highlighting ongoing issues within their offensive strategy.