The Las Vegas Raiders received some good news regarding starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo’s back injury. Coach Josh McDaniels stated that the team “dodged a big bullet” and that the prognosis is better than expected. However, Garoppolo’s status for the upcoming game against the Chicago Bears is still unclear. Meanwhile, the Bears’ starting quarterback, Justin Fields, is doubtful to play due to a dislocated thumb.
Garoppolo was taken to the hospital after leaving Sunday’s game with the injury amid concerns of internal damage. McDaniels revealed that scans showed no serious issues, providing relief for the team. While Garoppolo is still undergoing tests, it seems that the injury is not as severe as initially feared.
The Raiders have a history of being cautious when it comes to Garoppolo’s health. They held him out until training camp after offseason foot surgery and also kept him sidelined in Week 4 despite his return to practice following a concussion in Week 3. It is likely that they will take a similar approach this time, especially considering they are facing a struggling Bears team that may also be without their starting quarterback.
In terms of potential replacements for Garoppolo, the Raiders have two options: rookie Aidan O’Connell and veteran Brian Hoyer. O’Connell started in Week 4 against the Chargers when Garoppolo was out with a concussion. Although he improved as the game progressed, he had issues with holding onto the ball and fumbled twice. McDaniels chose O’Connell because he had a full week of practice to prepare.
However, in the following week, McDaniels went back to Hoyer, who has previous experience as a backup for the Patriots. Hoyer entered Sunday’s game to boos from the home crowd, who were impressed by O’Connell’s preseason success. Nevertheless, Hoyer did enough to help the Raiders maintain their lead and secure the win. He even threw the team’s longest pass of the season, a 48-yarder to wide receiver Tre Tucker. Running back Josh Jacobs believes that plays like that could open up the running game.
In the previous game, Hoyer led the Raiders on two scoring drives in the second half. Garoppolo appeared to have suffered the injury during the team’s final drive of the second quarter and was subsequently taken to a local hospital. Hoyer, who was released by the Patriots in March, completed 6-of-10 passes for 102 yards.
While the Raiders await further updates on Garoppolo’s condition, they can take solace in the fact that they have a capable backup in Hoyer. The team will likely prioritize Garoppolo’s health and err on the side of caution, especially against a struggling Bears team that may also be missing their starting quarterback.
In conclusion, the Las Vegas Raiders received positive news regarding Jimmy Garoppolo’s back injury. Coach Josh McDaniels stated that the prognosis is better than expected, although Garoppolo’s status for the upcoming game against the Chicago Bears remains uncertain. The Raiders have shown a cautious approach to Garoppolo’s health in the past and are likely to do the same this time. They have two potential replacements in rookie Aidan O’Connell and veteran Brian Hoyer. Hoyer performed well in the previous game, leading the team to victory. While Garoppolo’s injury is not as serious as initially feared, the Raiders will prioritize his health and make a decision based on his recovery progress.