The Las Vegas Raiders have made a major move by signing quarterback Desmond Ridder from the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad. This action follows an injury to their starting quarterback, Aidan O’Connell, who suffered a broken thumb on his throwing hand during a recent loss to the Los Angeles Rams. O’Connell is expected to be out for four to six weeks, prompting the Raiders to strengthen their quarterback position.
Desmond Ridder, formerly with the Atlanta Falcons, has an 8-9 record over 19 career games. He has thrown for 3,544 yards, completing 64% of his passes, with 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. His experience could prove vital for the Raiders as they seek to keep their offense productive during O’Connell’s absence.
Currently, the Raiders are facing difficulties with a 2-5 record this season, and their quarterback situation has been particularly problematic. Gardner Minshew, who had been replaced by O’Connell, has struggled, tying for the league lead with 10 turnovers. His recent performance against the Rams, where he threw three interceptions and lost a fumble, has further complicated the quarterback dilemma.
At 25 years old, Ridder was a third-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, making him one of nine quarterbacks selected that year. He has a connection with Raiders receiver Tre Tucker, as they were college teammates at the University of Cincinnati. This signing, first reported by NFL Network, could give the Raiders a much-needed lift as they aim to improve their season in the coming weeks.
