Dec 16, 2024, 12:53 PM ET
Quarterback Desmond Ridder is expected to make his first start for the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday night against his former team, the Atlanta Falcons, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Raiders listed quarterback Aidan O’Connell as questionable due to a bone bruise to his left knee. O’Connell, who did not practice last week, is expected to work out pregame to see if he can play, but Ridder is expected to start at this point, the sources told Schefter.
The Falcons (6-7) drafted Ridder in the third round, No. 74 overall, in 2022 out of Cincinnati. After 19 games over two seasons with Atlanta and an 8-9 record as the Falcons’ starter, Ridder was released Aug. 27. The move came after the Falcons signed quarterback Kirk Cousins to a four-year contract in free agency and drafted Michael Penix Jr. in the first round.
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The Raiders signed him off the Arizona Cardinals‘ practice squad on Oct. 22. He has passed for 239 yards and a touchdown in limited action for the team.
O’Connell was injured late in the third quarter of the Raiders’ 28-13 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 14. He was making his second start since his return from injured reserve due to a broken thumb and has thrown for 899 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions in six games, completing 63.2% of his passes.
The Falcons, losers of four straight games, need to win Monday night to remain a game behind the Buccaneers (8-6) in the NFC South. The Raiders (2-11) have lost nine straight games, their longest in-season losing streak since they opened the 2014 campaign 0-10.
ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez contributed to this report.
