Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew sustained a season-ending broken collarbone in Sunday’s 29-19 loss to the Denver Broncos, NFL Network reports.
The injury leaves the Raiders with just Desmond Ridder at quarterback. The Raiders placed Aidan O’Connell on injured reserve in October with a fractured thumb. O’Connell was reportedly given an initial timeline of 4-6 weeks to return. The Athletic reports that O’Connell may be back for Friday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Minshew suffered his injury on the Raiders’ penultimate drive with 2:57 remaining on the game clock and Denver leading, 26-19. Cody Barton and Jonathon Cooper combined to sack Minshew on the first play of the drive. Barton’s tackle drove Minshew’s left (non-throwing) shoulder into the turf.
Minshew was in obvious pain after the play and walked off the field with the aid of trainers. Ridder finished the game at quarterback. He fumbled on a sack on his second drop back. The Broncos recovered and converted the turnover into a field goal to extend their lead to two possessions with 1:56 remaining.
The Raiders signed Ridder off the Falcons’ practice squad in October when O’Connell injured his thumb. Depending on O’Connell’s status, the Raiders may be on the market to sign another quarterback in the aftermath of Minshew’s injury. Former Toledo and South Alabama quarterback Carter Bradley is on the Raiders’ practice squad. He’s never thrown an NFL pass.
The Raiders dropped to 2-9 with Sunday’s loss and further out of the playoff picture. Minshew’s injury will instead impact the race for the No. 1 pick in the draft. The Raiders are now tied with the Jaguars and Giants for the worst record in the NFL.