Trending toward Week 9 start
The Raiders are "leaning toward" having O'Connell start Sunday's game against the Giants, a source tells Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Bonsignore's report was published just over an hour after the Raiders fired head coach Josh McDaniels and general manager David Ziegler earlier Wednesday. Interim head coach Antonio Pierce will likely meet with the media later Wednesday to clarify the Raiders' plans at quarterback moving forward, but with Las Vegas sitting on a 3-5 record and not shaping up as a playoff contender, the team may be inclined to evaluate the rookie O'Connell rather than sticking with struggling veteran Jimmy Garoppolo as the team's starter. O'Connell previously drew a start in place of a concussed Garoppolo in Week 4 against the Chargers and also relieved Brian Hoyer for the second half of a Week 7 loss to the Bears. Between those two contests, O'Connell completed 34 of 52 pass attempts (65.4 percent) for 313 yards (6.0 yards per attempt), one touchdown and two interceptions. He also added a score on the ground.
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Fernando Mendoza
New No. 1 in Vegas after Cousins trade
Mendoza will take over as the Raiders' new starting quarterback beginning with Sunday's game versus the Seahawks after Las Vegas traded Kirk Cousins to Minnesota on Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Matt Gay
Converts all three kicks in loss
Gay converted his only field-goal attempt and both of his extra-point tries during Las Vegas' loss to the 49ers on Sunday.
Jalen Nailor
Two catches in loss
Nailor caught two of four targets for nine yards during Sunday's 38-17 loss to the 49ers.
Michael Mayer
Three catches in loss
Mayer caught all three of his targets for 37 yards in Sunday's 38-17 loss to the 49ers.
Mike Washington Jr.
Unproductive against Niners
Washington turned six carries into minus-three yards in Sunday's 38-17 loss to the 49ers.
Tre Tucker
Four catches in defeat
Tucker caught four of eight targets for 55 yards during Sunday's 38-17 loss to the 49ers.
Ashton Jeanty
Matches Washington with six carries
Jeanty rushed six times for 25 yards while catching five of seven targets for minus-5 yards in Sunday's 38-17 loss to the 49ers.
Brock Bowers
Big numbers in lopsided loss
Bowers caught seven of eight targets for 111 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 38-17 loss to the 49ers. He also rushed once for two yards and lost a fumble.
Cody White
Cut by Las Vegas
The Raiders released White on Wednesday, Sam Warren of The Athletic reports.
Mike Washington Jr.
Workload breakdown a 'week-to-week' decision
Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak said Wednesday that the breakdown in carries between Washington and Ashton Jeanty will be determined on a week-to-week basis, Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reports.