Raiders-Falcons inactives: Aidan O’Connell is emergency quarterback

Starting quarterback has knee injury

Las Vegas Raiders starting quarterback Aidan O’Connell is not active Monday night against the Atlanta Falcons at Allegiant Stadium. Kickoff is 5:30 p.m. PT.

He didn’t practice all week and was listed as questionable to play on Saturday, but it was considered a longshot that he would play because of a bruised knee bone he suffered in a Week 14 loss at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He worked out prior to the game, but it was determined he can only be play if the Raiders’ two active quarterbacks get injured and can’t resume play. Perhaps O’Connell will be ready to Sunday at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

With O’Connell out, Desmond Ridder will make his first start as a Raider, against his former team. The Falcons drafted Ridder in the third round in 2022. He started 17 games in Atlanta and went 8-9. Atlanta traded Ridder to the Arizona Cardinals in March and he was cut in August. The Raiders signed Ridder off the Cardinals’ practice squad during the season. Undrafted rookie Carter Bradley will backup Ridder on Monday night.

Meanwhile, Raiders’ cornerback Nate Hobbs is back after missing the past four games wit an ankle injury. The Raiders other inactive players are:

Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden is not playing. He was arrested Monday night on DUI charges. Of course, Raiders’ star defensive end Maxx Crosby is out for the season with an ankle injury that will require surgery. So, the Raiders will be relying K’Lavon Chaisson, Janarius Robinson and Tyree Wilson to provide the pass-rush against Kirk Cousins.