Raiders QB Aidan O’Connell (thumb) exits game vs. Rams

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell departed Sunday’s road game against the Los Angeles Rams in the first quarter with a right thumb injury. O’Connell’s throwing hand was hit by Rams safety Kamren Curl, who was blitzing on a pass attempt in the first quarter. O’Connell was replaced by Gardner Minshew II to begin a Raiders drive with 2:33 remaining in the period. O’Connell, 26, was listed as questionable to return. On his first drive in a scoreless game, Minshew took the Raiders 56 yards on nine plays before Daniel Carlson made a 38-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead early in the second quarter. O’Connell was 6-of-10 passing for 52 yards in the early going against the Rams. He took over the starting spot from Minshew in Week 6 and entered after completing 63.9 percent of his passes for 403 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in three games (one start). Minshew, 28, who won the starting job in the preseason, started the first five games when he completed 70.7 percent of his passes for 1,014 yards, four TDs and five interceptions. –Field Level Media

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