The Las Vegas Raiders are set to be forced into the quarterback market after it emerged that Aidan O’Connell faces up to eight weeks out with a fractured wrist.
O’Connell sustained the injury on Saturday night in his team’s final preseason game, which the Raiders lost 20-10 to the Arizona Cardinals.
‘He’s hurt and it is going to be a while,’ Vegas head coach Pete Carroll said. ‘It’s a huge blow for us.’
O’Connell had been lined up as the No 2 quarterback for Carroll’s first season in Vegas, behind Geno Smith. The team traded for Smith earlier this year from Carroll’s former team, Seattle Seahawks.
Rookie Cam Miller entered in O’Connell’s place Saturday against the Cardinals but the Raiders will want someone with more experience backing Smith up.
Carson Wentz, who played behind Patrick Mahomes at the Kansas City Chiefs last season, is one of the most notable free agent quarterbacks still available.
The Raiders start the season on September 7 against New England Patriots.
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