Raiders activate Aidan O’Connell, place Gardner Minshew on IR

The Las Vegas Raiders activated Aidan O’Connell from injured reserve Thursday and placed fellow quarterback Gardner Minshew and cornerback Jakorian Bennett on IR.

The Raiders also signed wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. and activated running back Sincere McCormick and cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly.

O’Connell had been sidelined since injuring his thumb in Las Vegas’ 20-15 setback to the Los Angeles Rams on Oct. 20. He will start for the Raiders (2-9) on Friday when they face Patrick Mahomes and the host Kansas City Chiefs (10-1).

The Raiders lost starter Minshew for the season to a broken collarbone in the team’s 29-19 loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday.

O’Connell, 26, returned to practice on Monday and received first-team reps. He has completed 52 of 82 passes for 455 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in four games (two starts) this season.

He threw for 2,218 yards with 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 11 games (10 starts) as a rookie last season. He was selected by Las Vegas in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Bennett, 24, has 26 tackles in 10 games (seven starts) this season.

Marshall, 24, has played in one game with Las Vegas this season. He has 64 catches for 767 yards and one touchdown in 37 games (16 starts) with the Carolina Panthers.

McCormick, 24, has rushed five times for 33 yards in two games this season.

Kelly, 23, has five tackles in nine career games with four teams.

–Field Level Media