Raiders Starting Quarterback Name vs. Chiefs

The Las Vegas Raiders (2-5) are preparing for their second battle of the season in the AFC West when they face the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs (6-0) on Sunday afternoon. Coach Antonio Pierce named the starting quarterback after an injury last Sunday and a new addition earlier in the week.

The Raiders signed third-year quarterback Desmond Ridder from the Cardinals practice squad on Monday after starter Aidan O’Connell suffered a broken thumb in last week’s loss to the Rams. O’Connell was placed on injured reserve and the Raiders needed an extra arm to shore up their position.

Pierce was asked if there was any chance Ridder would take the field on Sunday, his first week with the team, and he revealed who would start for the Silver and Black at Allegiant Stadium.

“If the rules say he’s that quick, that’ll be a positive,” Pierce he said. “But right now our focus will be on Gardner (Minshew II).”

The Raiders have no choice but to start Minshewthe job he originally won after training camp, but lost to O’Connell in Week 5 after a disappointing first few games. There is always a chance Ridder will play, but in a situation like this it would be a last resort.

Minshew leads the league in steals with eight and had four turnovers against the Rams last week when he entered the game in place of the injured O’Connell.

“He (Minshew) needs to get his head out of his head,” Pierce said after last week’s loss. “He’s a point guard, he’s been in this league and he understands it. Of course we encouraged him and were very positive on the sideline after everything that happened yesterday.”

The veteran, now in his sixth season, has the potential to be a solid playmaker in this league, but this season he has had major problems keeping the ball in his team’s hands.

In Ridder’s case, he is the newest member of the team and if he didn’t have supersonic memory, it would be difficult for him to learn the entire manual and get started this Sunday. There is a good chance he will be able to play and make an impact in the coming weeks while O’Connell is sidelined.

Pierce was asked how Ridder is doing in the building and what they expect from him to make a positive impact on the franchise.

“I guess I’m just being myself,” Pierce said. “I don’t think he’s trying to put pressure and we’re not asking him to push, come in, be the starting quarterback and help us turn things around. He’s just a piece of the puzzle for us and I think he has good presence in the room, he’s got good presence, he’s a very confident player, he’s smart and, honestly, he works hard trying to learn the rules as quickly as possible.

The Raiders are limited at the quarterback position, but will likely get one of their best pass catchers back this week. Sixth-year recipient Jacobi Meyers he missed the last two games with an ankle injury, but practiced on Friday and is expected to play.

If Meyers is fully healthy, the main focus of the offense will be to get back into the lineup with rookie tight end Brock Bowers and wideouts Tre Tucker and DJ Turner. The Chiefs have a pass defense in the bottom half of the league and if Minshew avoids turnovers, the Raiders will struggle.

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