It is unknown if Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Desmond Ridder will get a chance for revenge against the Atlanta Falcons.
The Raiders issued injury designations Saturday and left hope that injured Aidan O’Connell could still start despite sustaining a knee injury on Dec. 8 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. O’Connell was listed as questionable by the team.
O’Connell’s injury was feared to be a season-ender but ESPN’s Adam Schefter said it was just a bone bruise.
Ridder will wait until Monday evening to find out if he will get the start against his former team. He joined the Raiders (2-11) on Oct. 22 when the team claimed him off the Arizona Cardinals practice squad.
This week, the Raiders allowed O’Connell and Ridder to speak to the media because of the uncertainty of which quarterback will start.
Ridder, however, is champing at the bit.
“I’m excited and blessed to have the opportunity to be able to go out there and step out on the field,” Ridder told reporters this week. “Be able to go do and play the game that I love, the game that I grew up playing, the game that I’ve put a lot of time, work, sweat and tears into. So whether it’s against the Falcons – it doesn’t matter who it’s against. Any opportunity that I get to go out there and showcase my talents, it’s an exciting time.”
The Falcons drafted Ridder in the third round (74th overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft. He lasted there until 2023, when the Falcons traded Ridder to the Cardinals after acquiring Kirk Cousins.
For his career, Ridder has passed for 3,783 yards and 15 touchdowns against 12 interceptions in 23 games played. He also has five rushing touchdowns.
