The Las Vegas Raiders are signing former University of Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder from the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad, as reported Monday by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Ridder, a third-round draft pick in 2022, led the Bearcats to their first-ever College Football Playoff appearance in his final season. He was released by the Cardinals in August but later joined their practice squad.
Aidan O’Connell took over as the Raiders’ starter for Gardner Minshew before Week 6, but after fracturing his thumb on Sunday, he is expected to be sidelined for 4-6 weeks. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo, the Raiders are placing O’Connell on injured reserve.
The Raiders have yet to announce their starting quarterback for Sunday’s game in Las Vegas against the Kansas City Chiefs. The following week, they’ll travel to Cincinnati to take on the Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Ridder was traded to Arizona from the Atlanta Falcons in March. Over two NFL seasons, Ridder has played in 19 regular-season games, starting 17. He has completed 64% of his passes, throwing for 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, along with five rushing touchdowns.
Former Falcons head coach Arthur Smith benched Ridder after designating him as the team’s starter for the 2023 season. Although Ridder was part of the Falcons when they faced a loss in Cincinnati in 2022, he did not participate in that game.
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