Raiders weigh veteran QB depth after O’Connell fracture

The Las Vegas Raiders' quarterback depth took a sharp turn for the uncertain after backup Aidan O’Connell fractured his right wrist in the preseason finale against the Arizona Cardinals. With Geno Smith slated to start and sixth-round rookie Cam Miller the only other healthy quarterback on the active roster, Las Vegas now faces a rapid shakeout of plans for Week 1 and beyond, as they evaluate options to add a veteran arm or otherwise bolster the position before cuts finalize the roster.

O’Connell left the game in the second quarter and did not return after a brief sequence that saw him complete 3 of 4 passes for 36 yards on his final in-game work. The injury was later described as a broken wrist requiring surgery, with the team signaling a six-to-eight-week absence. In his stead, Miller took over and finished 12 of 24 for 102 yards, a performance that underscored the challenge of relying on a rookie who has seen uneven time with the second and third units this preseason. The coaching staff acknowledged Miller’s development, but stressed that the decision on whether he can serve as a reliable backup behind Smith remains unresolved.

The immediate consequence is a quarterback room...