20 October 2023 , 23:10
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The Las Vegas Raiders have made a decision on which quarterback will start in place of the injured Jimmy Garoppolo.
The veteran QB sustained a back injury last Sunday in the Week 6 win over the New England Patriots in the NFL. Garoppolo injured his back in the second quarter and initially remained on the field, but did not return to the game for the second half.
As a result of the injury, Garoppolo was ruled out of the game against the Chicago Bears this Sunday in Week 7. That left the Raiders with a decision on which reserved quarterback will take to the field at Soldier Field in place of Garoppolo.
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News emerged via on Friday that the Raiders had chosen to go with Brian Hoyer as the starter against the Bears. Hoyer, a quarterback in his 15th season stepped in for the injured Garoppolo in the second half against the Patriots last Sunday.
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Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels had a decision to make on whether to select Hoyer or Aidan O’Connell for the game against Chicago. O’Connell is in his rookie season in the NFL after being selected in the fourth round of the draft back in April.
O’Connell impressed during pre-season for the Raiders and has already taken to the field in the NFL. Garoppolo was sidelined in Week 4 against the Los Angeles Chargers due to a concussion, and O’Connell started but he has yet to complete his first touchdown pass.
McDaniels has decided to go with the experience of Hoyer rather than the potential of O’Connell for the trip to Chicago. The Raiders head into the game 3-3 for the season and second in the AFC West.
On Friday, McDaniels spoke to reporters in a press conference where he was asked about which quarterback to select in place of the injured Garoppolo. McDaniels spoke to the media before reports emerged of Hoyer getting selected to start at Soldier Field, but the Raiders head coach explained how both QBs have impressed during practice during the week.
"Both guys are having a good week practicing. We'll see how today goes and then we’re just going to make the right decision," McDaniels said in his Friday press conference.
"I think at the end of the day, both of them are going to be ready to go. I have confidence in both of them.
"The good thing, as we’ve talked about, is both of them have played already. So, that’s a unique situation. So far in six games, we’ve had three quarterbacks out there that have all competed in close games. So, I’m confident in both of them."