Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce said at his press conference that quarterback Gardner Minshew’s shoulder injury “doesn’t look good” and it appears that it will bring an end to Minshew’s season.
NFL Media reports that Minshew broke his collarbone and several other reporters have since confirmed that report. A season-ending move to injured reserve will be next for Minshew.
Aidan O’Connell’s return for the Black Friday game against the Chiefs may also be on tap for the Raiders. O’Connell can be activated this week and multiple reports indicate that he is expected to return to action.
The Raiders could also opt to make a waiver claim for Daniel Jones or try to sign him if he clears waivers, but, for now, O’Connell and Desmond Ridder are the quarterback options in Las Vegas.
Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew had to exit Sunday’s loss to the Broncos late in the second half and it could be significant time before he’s available again.
Via Tashan Reed of TheAthletic.com, head coach Antonio Pierce said after the game that Minshew’s shoulder injury “doesn’t look good.” Minshew then had his left arm in a sling in the locker room.
Minshew exited the contest late in the second half after going down hard on his left shoulder. Desmond Ridder came in to replace him for the rest of the contest.
Minshew was 25-of-42 passing for 230 yards with a touchdown and an interception on Sunday. Ridder finished 5-of-10 for 64 yards.
While Las Vegas also has Aidan O’Connell, he’s on injured reserve after suffering a thumb injury.
The Raiders will have to figure out their QB position in short order, as they’re playing the Chiefs on Black Friday in Week 13.
The Broncos are playoff contenders, and quarterback Bo Nix is a rookie of the year candidate.
If there was any doubt of that before today, that doubt was erased when the Broncos went to Las Vegas and took care of business against the Raiders, winning 29-19 with Nix leading the way.
The Broncos are now 7-5, and although it’s unlikely they could catch the Chiefs in the AFC West, they have a great chance of earning a wild card berth. That’s something few expected with a rookie quarterback in Nix and a coach in Sean Payton who was just beginning what looked like it could be a long rebuilding effort. But Nix is playing superb football, and Courtland Sutton has proven himself a top-notch No. 1 receiver. The Broncos are in great shape.
The Raiders aren’t in shape to contend for anything other than the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft. Although wide receiver Jakobi Meyers was a bright spot today, and defensive end Maxx Crosby played relentlessly as he always does, the Raiders look like one of the least talented teams in the NFL. Quarterback Gardner Minshew was knocked out of the game late in the fourth quarter and replaced by Desmond Ridder, who promptly lost a fumble.
The loss drops the Raiders to 2-9 and raises major questions about their future, including whether Antonio Pierce is the right coach to get the Raiders back on track.
But the Broncos are definitely on track. This is the best team they’ve had in Denver in years.
Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew exited today’s game against the Broncos with an apparent left shoulder injury.
Minshew was sacked and went down hard on his non-throwing shoulder and was replaced with backup Desmond Ridder.
The Broncos led 26-19 with 2:50 left in the fourth quarter at the time Minshew exited, so Ridder was going to need to lead a miraculous comeback, and that didn’t happen. Ridder was strip-sacked on his second play for what will likely be a game-sealing turnover.
It’s been an ugly season in Las Vegas, and it’s only getting uglier.
The Raiders are playing today without their special teams coordinator, but that didn’t stop them from a game-changing call on special teams.
Before the game, the Raiders announced that special teams coordinator Tom McMahon will not be coaching today against the Broncos. The team did not offer an explanation. Assistant special teams coach Derius Swinton took over McMahon’s responsibilities.
Swinton made the most of his opportunity with a gutsy play call on a fourth down, with punter A.J. Cole throwing the ball to Divine Deablo for a 34-yard gain.
The Raiders lead the Broncos 10-9 just before halftime.
