The Las Vegas Raiders will be without quarterback Aidan O'Connell for the foreseeable future as he heads to Injured Reserve with a hand injury.
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O'Connell fractured his thumb during last weekend's 20-15 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, sources told NFL insiders Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport. He will miss the next four to six weeks of the season but will have a chance to return after recovering.
The injury occurred during the first quarter of the game. O'Connell, who had recently taken the starting job from Gardner Minshew, left the field after throwing 10 passes. He remained out for the rest of regulation.
Minshew took over the offense once again and completed 15 of his 34 attempted passes for 154 yards. He threw three interceptions and lost one fumble. The third interception took place with 1:46 left in regulation.
Minshew started the season atop the depth chart, and he helped the Raiders upset the Ravens in Week 2. Minshew and the Raiders also beat the Browns in Week 4.
However, head coach Antonio Pierce made a change at quarterback after a Week 5 loss to the Broncos. He benched Minshew and named O'Connell the starter.
O'Connell's first start this season was against the Steelers. He threw for 227 yards and a touchdown. He also tossed an interception as the Raiders lost 32-13.
The 2-5 Raiders will now move forward onto a matchup with a division foe without O'Connell under center due to the injury. They will take on the rival Chiefs, who enter Week 8 undefeated and as 10-point favorites.
The Chiefs lead the series with a 73-55-2 record. This includes 18 wins in the past 22 games. Although the Raiders won the most recent matchup between the AFC West teams.
Pierce's team upset the Chiefs on Dec. 25 last season as running back Zamir White rushed for 145 yards, Daniel Carlson kicked two field goals, and the defense scored two touchdowns. O'Connell only had to throw for 62 yards during the win.
