Raiders name starting quarterback vs. Chiefs

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

On Monday, the Raiders signed third-year quarterback Desmond Ridder from the Cardinals' practice squad 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 another arm to bolster their position.

Pierce was asked if there was a chance Ridder would see the field on Sunday in his first week with the team and revealed who will start for the Silver and Black at Allegiant Stadium.

“If he’s that quick in the game, that would be a positive,” Pierce said. “But as of now, we’re choosing Gardner (Minshew II).”

The Raiders have little choice but to use Minshew, the job he originally earned in training camp but then lost to O'Connell in Week 5 after a disappointing first game. There's always the possibility that Ridder plays, but if so, it would be a last resort.

Minshew leads the league with eight interceptions and had four turnovers against the Rams last week when he came into the game in place of the injured O'Connell.

“He (Minshew) needs to get out of his head,” Pierce said after last week’s loss. “He’s a quarterback, he’s been in this league, he gets it. Obviously we encouraged him, very positive on the sidelines with everything that happened yesterday.”

The sixth-year veteran has the intangibles to be a solid quarterback in this league, but has struggled to keep the ball in his team's hands this season.

In Ridder's case, he is the newest member of the team, and unless he has supersonic memory, it would have been difficult for him to learn the entire playbook and start doing it this Sunday. In the coming weeks there is a good chance he can play and make an impact while O'Connell is sidelined.

Pierce was asked how Ridder has conducted himself in the building and what they expect from him to positively impact the franchise.

“I think just being himself,” Pierce said. “I don't think he's trying to put any pressure on him, and we're not asking him to put any pressure on him, to go in and be the starting quarterback and help us turn things around. He's just a piece of the puzzle for us, and I think he is.” He does a good job in space, is a very confident player, sharp, and to be honest, he's working hard at learning the playbook so quickly to learn 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 receiver Jakobi Meyers missed the last two games with an ankle injury but practiced Friday and is expected to play.

When Meyers is fully healthy, the offense will once again have a key target in the lineup, working alongside rookie tight end Brock Bowers and wideouts Tre Tucker and DJ Turner. The Chiefs have a pass defense that ranks in the bottom half of the league, and if Minshew avoids turnovers, the Raiders will compete.

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Raiders name starting quarterback vs. Chiefs

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