Team news: Las Vegas Raiders | Page 1

Injury Update: RB Sincere McCormick (ankle) is OUT.

Related players: Alexander Mattison, Ameer Abdullah

McCormick left the game with just eight yards rushing and two catches for 17 yards. McCormick was named the team's RB1 even with the return of Mattison, but it now remains to be seen if he'll be good for Week 16. Mattison fumbled in the game and only had 21 rushing yards on seven carries with two catches for three yards. Abdullah may be the back to own in this offense. He only carried three times for eight yards, but did catch seven balls for 58 yards and a TD. On top of that, the Raiders host the Jags in Week 16 in the later slate of games on Sunday. Abdullah could be a nice, although risky, play in a good matchup for those who may be looking for a running back on their fantasy playoff roster.

The Raiders are in line to start their third different quarterback of the season when they face the Falcons on Monday night.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that Desmond Ridder is expected to get the start.

Related players: Aidan O’Connell

O’Connell is listed as questionable to play after hurting his knee last Sunday and he will work out before the game, but the current feeling is that Ridder will get the nod, the story went on to say. At this point, Brock Bowers owners are just hoping whoever is under center will continue to feed Bowers the ball.

There hasn’t been much to like about the Jaguars this season, but wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. is at the top of that small list.

Thomas was a first-round pick in April and he’s lived up to that status over the course of his rookie season. Thomas caught 10 passes for 105 yards and two touchdowns during Sunday’s 32-25 loss to the Jets and that gave him the franchise’s rookie records for both receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.

Head coach Doug Pederson said as the season progressed, the team could see that Thomas could handle more information, and that he could handle more responsibility. Each week, the Jags were finding ways to load him up with more responsibility. Thomas looks like he's the real deal and it doesn't matter who is under center. For the season, Thomas has 64 catches for 956 yards and 8 TDs with 99 targets.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith suffered a knee injury in the second half of Sunday night's 30-13 loss to the Green Bay Packers and did not return.

Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald told reporters after the loss that it appeared Smith's knee was structurally OK, but the extent of the injury was unclear. Smith will undergo further evaluation on Monday.

"I'll tell you this, this guy's probably the toughest player I've been around," Macdonald said of Smith. "(It was) severe enough for him not to come back in the game. We'll do all the tests tomorrow and kind of figure it out as we go. Right now, structurally it looks like it's OK. We'll get him imaged and all that stuff."

Related players: Sam Howell

The story said Smith wanted to go back in but couldn't and would eventually give way to Howell. The Seahawks host the Vikings in Week 16 in a later Sunday game. Owners will need to monitor Smith this week. It's not great news that it was severe enough that he couldn't go back in the game, so his status for Week 16 is very much in doubt. Howell was just 5 for 14 for 24 yards and an INT. He was also sacked four times in his limited play.

Antonio Pierce stated that Sincere McCormick will remain the team’s starting running back even with Alexander Mattison nearing a return this week.

“He deserves it. … He has run his tail off.”

Related Players: Ameer Abdullah

At 2-11, the Raiders would be silly to not see what they have in McCormick, with 31-year-old Abdullah and Mattison, who is on a one-year contract, only there to give the former UDFA a breather. Consider McCormick a volume-based RB3.

Looking ahead to 2025, the Raiders will find themselves searching for an answer at quarterback for the third offseason in a row.

Related players: Aidan O'Connell, Gardner Minshew, Desmond Ridder

The author said O'Connell is the best bet to be in the mix, but it's only because he hasn't really played much. Minshew is under contract for next season, but hasn't played well in his time this season. The Raiders are on pace to have one of the top picks in the NFL Draft, but also could opt to go another direction and take the best player, much like they did last draft with Brock Bowers at TE. The author said the Raiders could once again explore the available veterans: Sam Darnold, Russell Wilson, Justin Fields and Jameis Winston are scheduled to be free agents. Either way, it appears the Raiders will probably have a new starting QB in 2025.

As it turns out, quarterback Aidan O’Connell’s injury is not as significant as previously feared.

According to multiple reports, an MRI confirmed O’Connell suffered a bone bruise in his knee. O’Connell has not yet been ruled out for next Monday’s matchup with the Falcons.

Related players: Desmond Ridder

A report from earlier today said the Raiders believed O'Connell suffered a significant knee injury, but that is not the case. O'Connell plays on Monday night, so owners will need a backup plan if they are counting on O'Connell in lineups in Week 15. O’Connell was taken off the field with a cart and had an air cast over his leg, the story pointed out.

Sources: Raiders fear QB Aidan O'Connell suffered a season-ending knee injury today vs Tampa Bay.

Related players: Desmond Ridder, Carter Bradley

O'Connell is undergoing additional testing to confirm the full severity, but it looks like the Raiders will have to turn to yet another QB this season. Next up should be Ridder, which probably doesn't do a lot to change the fantasy potential of this offense. There is likely to be big changes on the Raiders next season and QB could be one of them.

Raiders HC Antonio Pierce said QB Aidan O'Connell (illness) and WR Jakobi Meyers (ankle) are "full go," will practice today and are on track to play against the Bucs on Sunday. They didn't practice yesterday.

Related Players: Tre Tucker, Terrace Marshall, Kristian Wilkerson

O'Connell can be left off starting lineups unless you're desperate for a QB streamer, but Meyers profiles as an intriguing low-end WR2 against a Buccaneers secondary that has allowed the league's highest schedule-adjusted fantasy points to the position.

The Raiders used up their temporary practice squad elevations for running back Sincere McCormick, so they made a more lasting roster move on Tuesday.

McCormick has been signed to the 53-man roster in Las Vegas. Wide receiver D.J. Turner was placed on injured reserve in a corresponding move.

Related players: Alexander Mattison, Zamir White, Ameer Abdullah

McCormick played in the last two games for the Raiders as they were missing Mattison and White due to injuries. McCormick ran 12 times for 64 yards in last Friday’s loss to the Chiefs and he had five carries for 33 yards against the Broncos in Week 12, the story said. McCormick led the way for the Raiders against the Chiefs with 12 carries to Abdullah's 10. McCormick may be worth a pickup and stash at this point, as the Raiders are trying to figure out their roster for 2025. Mattison, White and Abdullah don't necessarily offer much future upside at the position, so it's possible the team will see what they have with McCormick going forward. However, keep an eye on the injury statuses of Mattison and White. The Raiders are at Tampa Bay in Week 14.