Raiders report: Quarterback ‘full go,’ in line to start Sunday

Quarterback Aidan O’Connell practiced in full Friday and is line to start the Raiders’ game against the Buccaneers on Sunday.

O’Connell missed Thursday’s practice with an illness. He had no limitations Friday.

“He’s full go,” coach Antonio Pierce said. “He’ll be fine.”

O’Connell, a 2023 fourth-round pick, returned from a broken right thumb last week to start the Raiders’ game against the Chiefs. He threw for a career-high 340 yards and two touchdowns in the 19-17 loss.

The Raiders’ injury news wasn’t all positive Friday.

Cornerback Nate Hobbs (ankle) and running back Zamir White (quad) remain out this week.

Running back Alexander Mattison and wide receiver Jakobi Meyers are questionable with ankle injuries. Mattison has missed two straight games, while Meyers’ injury popped up this week. Meyers wasn’t on Wednesday’s injury report, but he didn’t practice Thursday and was limited Friday.

Tight end Justin Shorter is doubtful with a back injury.

The Buccaneers have several injuries of their own, but most of their best players should be available Sunday.

Wide receiver Mike Evans (hamstring/calf) and left tackle Tristan Wirfs (foot/knee) didn’t practice Wednesday or Thursday and were limited participants Friday, but neither was given a game-day designation on Tampa Bay’s final injury report. Rookie running back Bucky Irving (hip/back) is questionable.

Foreshadowing or trolling?

Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders hasn’t been shy about dropping hints to Raiders fans about where he may end up in April’s NFL draft.

He did it again Friday, posting an Instagram story from what appeared to be the passenger seat of a vehicle traveling south on I-15 driving past Allegiant Stadium.

He wrote the word “legendary” on the post.

Sanders is in the mix to be the top quarterback selected in this year’s draft. The Raiders (2-10) will likely have one of the top picks and are in desperate need of a franchise passer.

Managing the game

Pierce, in his first full season as the Raiders coach, has made some questionable in-game decisions.

But he’s committed to learning from them.

Pierce said he holds weekly meetings with game management coach Matt Sheldon and assistant head coach Marvin Lewis to discuss strategies for the upcoming game. They also discuss how the Raiders could handle different scenarios that pop up around the league, like Lions coach Dan Campbell’s decision to go for a fourth-and-inches Thursday rather than attempting a potential go-ahead field goal.

Detroit converted and ended up kicking the game-winning field goal as time expired.

“We were sitting here going through it and watching Dan Campbell go for it on fourth-and-inches (considering) what would we do?” Pierce said. “But every team is different, right? So, you got to look at who your team is, who you are, how you operate, what’s your efficiency in certain situations, and then how your team’s playing.”

Pierce said he tries to gather as much information as possible throughout the week because decisions on game day need to be made in a matter of seconds.

He said he talks with Sheldon and Lewis during breaks in the game to prepare for possible upcoming calls. He also listens to input in real time, but ultimately he makes the decisions.

“I do think you do have to filter the noise,” Pierce said. “And at the end of the day, I’m going to be the one that’s sitting here and talking in front of you about the decision I made. And that’s always going to be my decision. I’ll be the one that’s going to be accountable for it. I will always take credit for that.”

Gorman alum enjoying homecoming

Defensive back Kyu Blu Kelly, a Bishop Gorman alum, is enjoying his time back home in Las Vegas.

The 23-year-old was called up from the Raiders’ practice squad each of the last two weeks.

“It’s just home,” Kelly said. “I’m used to all the bright lights and the Strip. It’s just like the mall to me.”

Kelly, whose father played in the NFL for 11 seasons, was selected by the Ravens in the fifth round of the 2023 draft out of Stanford. He’s already on his fifth organization in two years.

Kelly has spent much of the season on the Raiders’ practice squad, but he’s been elevated the past two games due to a string of defensive injuries. He’s a valuable depth player because he can play several different positions.

“I’m just trying to bring some versatility and do whatever I can to help this team get a win,” Kelly said.

Kelly said his parents were crying when he returned home to sign with the Raiders. He witnessed Las Vegas rise as a professional sports market with the additions of the Golden Knights and Aces. Now he gets to play for the local NFL team.

“That stuff was not happening when I was a kid,” Kelly said. “Seeing the city grow like that has been great.”

Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on X.