Team news: Las Vegas Raiders | Page 10

Falcons head coach Raheem Morris stopped short of saying Kirk Cousins remains the team’s starting quarterback after Monday night’s 15-9 win over the Raiders and he didn’t cross that line on Tuesday either.

“We just got back,” Morris said, via Josh Kendall of TheAthletic.com. “We still have to go through that process. All those things will happen over the course of the week. We didn’t play well enough at the quarterback position.”

Related players: Michael Penix Jr.

Morris was asked again if Cousins will get the start against the Giants on Sunday in Week 16 and he again didn’t rule out any move involving Cousins or Penix, the story went on to say. Morris cited the team’s late return from Las Vegas while saying that they still need to go through their process to decide the best path to winning games, the story added. The Falcons did get the win in Week 15 but it wasn't pretty. The Falcons get the Giants in Week 16 - so it's either a matchup to try and get Cousins back on track, or a matchup to give your rookie QB his first start. Several teams like the Browns and Titans have already made QB changes this week. Those owning Cousins and counting on him for this week should probably have a backup plan.

"I would say he's trending upwards to playing this week." - Raiders coach Antonio Pierce, on QB Aidan O'Connell

Related players: Desmond Ridder

Ridder didn't exactly do much to make the Raiders want to continue to see him for the rest of the season. At this point, it makes more sense for O'Connell to get the work. Either way, the Raiders are expected to have a new starting QB next season, according to some who follow the team. The return of O'Connell would be a little boost for the rest of the offense as they have a winnable game against the Jaguars at home in Week 16.

There hasn’t been much to like about the Jaguars this season, but wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. is at the top of that small list.

Thomas was a first-round pick in April and he’s lived up to that status over the course of his rookie season. Thomas caught 10 passes for 105 yards and two touchdowns during Sunday’s 32-25 loss to the Jets and that gave him the franchise’s rookie records for both receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.

Head coach Doug Pederson said as the season progressed, the team could see that Thomas could handle more information, and that he could handle more responsibility. Each week, the Jags were finding ways to load him up with more responsibility. Thomas looks like he's the real deal and it doesn't matter who is under center. For the season, Thomas has 64 catches for 956 yards and 8 TDs with 99 targets.

Looking ahead to 2025, the Raiders will find themselves searching for an answer at quarterback for the third offseason in a row.

Related players: Aidan O'Connell, Gardner Minshew, Desmond Ridder

The author said O'Connell is the best bet to be in the mix, but it's only because he hasn't really played much. Minshew is under contract for next season, but hasn't played well in his time this season. The Raiders are on pace to have one of the top picks in the NFL Draft, but also could opt to go another direction and take the best player, much like they did last draft with Brock Bowers at TE. The author said the Raiders could once again explore the available veterans: Sam Darnold, Russell Wilson, Justin Fields and Jameis Winston are scheduled to be free agents. Either way, it appears the Raiders will probably have a new starting QB in 2025.

As it turns out, quarterback Aidan O’Connell’s injury is not as significant as previously feared.

According to multiple reports, an MRI confirmed O’Connell suffered a bone bruise in his knee. O’Connell has not yet been ruled out for next Monday’s matchup with the Falcons.

Related players: Desmond Ridder

A report from earlier today said the Raiders believed O'Connell suffered a significant knee injury, but that is not the case. O'Connell plays on Monday night, so owners will need a backup plan if they are counting on O'Connell in lineups in Week 15. O’Connell was taken off the field with a cart and had an air cast over his leg, the story pointed out.

Sources: Raiders fear QB Aidan O'Connell suffered a season-ending knee injury today vs Tampa Bay.

Related players: Desmond Ridder, Carter Bradley

O'Connell is undergoing additional testing to confirm the full severity, but it looks like the Raiders will have to turn to yet another QB this season. Next up should be Ridder, which probably doesn't do a lot to change the fantasy potential of this offense. There is likely to be big changes on the Raiders next season and QB could be one of them.

Browns game status for Week 14:

Myles Harden, Juan Thornhill, Jamari Thrash are all listed as questionable.

Maurice Hurst, Sam Kamara, Cedric Tillman and Jed Wills are all out.

Related Players: Jerry Jeudy, Elijah Moore, David Njoku

Jeudy and Moore should continue to see more targets in a pass-heavy Jameis Winston-led offense. Jeudy should be considered a WR2, with Moore coming in as a low-end WR3.

Raiders HC Antonio Pierce said QB Aidan O'Connell (illness) and WR Jakobi Meyers (ankle) are "full go," will practice today and are on track to play against the Bucs on Sunday. They didn't practice yesterday.

Related Players: Tre Tucker, Terrace Marshall, Kristian Wilkerson

O'Connell can be left off starting lineups unless you're desperate for a QB streamer, but Meyers profiles as an intriguing low-end WR2 against a Buccaneers secondary that has allowed the league's highest schedule-adjusted fantasy points to the position.

Here are the Raiders’ inactives for today’s game:

RB Zamir White
RB Alexander Mattison
CB Nate Hobbs
G Cody Whitehair
WR Ramel Keyton
TE Harrison Bryant
DT Matthew Butler

Related Players: Ameer Abdullah, Sincere McCormick, Dylan Laube

The Raiders backfield is a mess, and it's going to be difficult to fire up any of the remaining options. Abdullah is the best bet to score fantasy points but shouldn't be considered more than an RB4.

CB Jakorian Bennett was placed on the IR, out for at least the next 4 games.

Nate Hobbs and Zamir White out tomorrow against the Chiefs, Alexander Mattison questionable.

Chiefs kicker Spencer Shrader is out.

Related Players: Ameer Abdullah, Sincere McCormick, Dylan Laube

The Raiders backfield is a mess, and it's going to be difficult to fire up Mattison, even if he does play. Consider him, or whichever eventual starter, a fringe RB3/4.