Sep 29, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell (12) warms up earlier than a recreation towards the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Photographs In an try to leap begin their offense, the Las Vegas Raiders will change quarterbacks this weekend to somebody new.
As for his or her disgruntled star wideout? Usual, usual.
Davante Adams is prone to stay out and second-year signal-caller Aidan O’Connell will step in for veteran quarterback Gardner Minshew II when the Raiders (2-3) host the Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2) on Sunday afternoon in Las Vegas.
This would be the third recreation in a row that Adams is anticipated to overlook due to a hamstring harm. Whereas he has been sidelined, commerce rumors have swirled across the Eleventh-year veteran who has 5 1,000-yard campaigns in his earlier six seasons.
“We talked so every little thing’s good,” Las Vegas coach Antonio Pierce mentioned. “He’s nonetheless a Raider. He has by no means not been a Raider. When he is wholesome and may play, we’ll play him.”
In the meantime, the Steelers are enjoying an identical recreation of wait-and-see in relation to harm restoration with their very own high-profile veteran.
Quarterback Russell Wilson, who has not performed this season due to a calf harm, returned to follow this week. He took repetitions with the second group in follow and is anticipated to function a backup to Justin Fields this week towards Las Vegas.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin sidestepped a particular reply when requested about Wilson’s standing for this weekend and the weeks forward.
“Till [Wilson] will get to a degree the place we’re snug with what we’re , we’ll proceed to push ahead with Justin till these issues are reputable, after which we’ll make these choices,” Tomlin mentioned.
Fields has posted a career-best 97.1 passer ranking in his first season in Pittsburgh. He has handed for 961 yards, 5 touchdowns and one interception, and he has rushed for 172 yards and three scores.
Najee Harris is the Steelers’ high working again with 270 yards however solely 3.3 yards per carry. George Pickens leads the group’s receivers with 23 catches for 310 yards.
As for the Raiders, O’Connell is ready to make his first begin of 2024 after beginning 10 video games as a rookie in 2023. The Purdue product has performed in two video games in backup responsibility this season, finishing 19 of 32 passes for 176 yards, one landing and one interception.
Pierce pulled Minshew after he threw two expensive interceptions in final week’s 34-18 loss towards the Denver Broncos. He mentioned O’Connell earned a possibility to begin however he left open the chance that he might flip again to Minshew later within the season.
“I do not plan on making switches at any (particular) time,” Pierce mentioned. “When it is time to make a swap, we’ll make a swap.”
Pierce mentioned he was impressed by O’Connell’s maturity as a second-year participant.
“(He is) out of that shell, not trying like a rookie no extra,” Pierce mentioned. “Not performing like a rookie no extra. He has a sure presence about himself. I like how he walks across the constructing.
“Actually, what I respect essentially the most, is once we named Gardner the starter, he mentioned, ‘All proper, I will be one of the best scout group quarterback attainable.’ And he was lighting our (protection) up. And every single day he provides us one of the best look and he walks round with a smile on his face.”
Raiders rookie tight finish Brock Bowers will look to remain sizzling after scoring his first profession landing final week towards Denver. Bowers leads the group with 313 receiving yards.
Las Vegas additionally hopes to ignite its working recreation, which has sputtered this season. Zamir White leads the group with 152 dashing yards and Alexander Mattison is subsequent with 125.
Each groups characteristic elite cross rushers.
The Steelers’ T.J. Watt has 4.5 sacks in 5 video games this season after tallying 19 sacks in 17 video games final yr. Watt surpassed 100 profession sacks final week towards the Cowboys.
Raiders cross rusher Maxx Crosby can even change the sport on protection. Crosby has 5 sacks in 4 video games after notching 14.5 in 2023.
–Subject Stage Media