Raiders QB Gardner Minshew suffers season-ending broken collarbone. Will Aidan O’Connell return?

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew II sustained a season-ending broken collarbone in Sunday’s 29-19 loss to the Denver Broncos, coach Antonio Pierce confirmed on Monday.

The injury leaves the Raiders with just Desmond Ridder at quarterback. The Raiders placed Aidan O’Connell on injured reserve in October with a fractured thumb.

O’Connell was reportedly given an initial timeline of 4-6 weeks to return, but could play Friday against the Chiefs if he’s able to ramp up without issues. The Raiders announced on Monday that O’Connell had returned to practice. His status for Friday’s game remains unclear.

Minshew suffered his injury on the Raiders’ penultimate drive with 2:57 remaining on the game clock and Denver leading, 26-19. Cody Barton and Jonathon Cooper combined to sack Minshew on the first play of the drive. Barton’s tackle drove Minshew’s left (non-throwing) shoulder into the turf.

Minshew was in pain after the play and walked off the field with the aid of athletic trainers. Ridder finished the game at quarterback. He fumbled on a sack on his second drop back. The Broncos recovered and converted the turnover into a field goal to extend their lead to two possessions with 1:56 remaining.

The Raiders signed Ridder off the Falcons’ practice squad in October when O’Connell injured his thumb. Depending on O’Connell’s status, the Raiders may be in the market to sign another quarterback in the aftermath of Minshew’s injury. Former Toledo and South Alabama quarterback Carter Bradley is on the Raiders’ practice squad. He’s never thrown an NFL pass.

The Raiders dropped to 2-9 with Sunday’s loss and further out of the playoff picture. Minshew’s injury will instead impact the race for the No. 1 pick in the draft. The Raiders are tied with the Jaguars and Giants for the worst record in the NFL.