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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Brock Bowers
Sits out practice, set to miss time
Bowers (knee) remained a non-participant in Thursday's practice, Anthony Galaviz of The Fresno Bee reports.
Ashton Jeanty
Feeling 'really good' ahead of opener
Jeanty said prior to Thursday's practice that he feels "really good" about the health of his right ankle and reiterated that he'll be ready to go for Sunday's season opener versus the Dolphins, Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reports. "Any time away from the game, it's tough," Jeanty said. "But to get back out there [at practice Wednesday], mainly with the guys, man, it felt good."
Mike Washington Jr.
Expected to be involved in Week 1 plan
Washington could still play a sizable role Week 1 against the Dolphins, even with Ashton Jeanty (ankle) expected to suit up, Dan Graziano of ESPN.com reports.
Ashton Jeanty
Logs full practice Wednesday
Jeanty (ankle) practiced fully Wednesday, Anthony Galaviz of The Fresno Bee reports.
Michael Mayer
Likely to start at TE for Raiders in Week 1
Mayer appears lined up to take on a pronounced role as the Raiders' top tight end in Sunday's season opener against the Dolphins after Brock Bowers underwent a meniscus trim Tuesday and is expected to be out for "a game or two," Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Brock Bowers
Undergoes meniscus trim, out 1-to-2 games
Bowers underwent a meniscus trim procedure Tuesday and is expected to miss "a game or two," Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Brock Bowers
Not spotted at Wednesday's practice
Bowers wasn't seen on the field during the open portion of Wednesday's practice, Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reports.
Ashton Jeanty
Will practice Wednesday
Coach Klint Kubiak said Jeanty (ankle) will practice Wednesday, Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reports.
Ronnie Bell
Goes to Raiders' practice squad
Las Vegas signed Bell to its practice squad Thursday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Brock Bowers
Working with Cousins to open season
Bowers will open the 2026 season working with Kirk Cousins as his quarterback after the veteran was named the Week 1 starter Wednesday, Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reports.