Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has cleared concussion protocol and will start against the Green Bay Packers on Monday. Here’s what you need to know:
Garoppolo’s Injury and Return
Garoppolo, 31, was ruled out in Week 4 after suffering a concussion against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 3. While he played the entire game against the Steelers, doctors approached him for an evaluation afterward, and he was subsequently placed in the concussion protocol. He returned to practice last week as a limited participant on Thursday and Friday but ultimately couldn’t clear protocol and didn’t play against the Los Angeles Chargers.
However, Garoppolo cleared the concussion protocol on Friday and was a full participant in practice. This means the Raiders won’t have to rely on rookie Aidan O’Connell for a second week in a row. O’Connell started for Las Vegas in their loss to the Chargers, going 24-of-39 passing for 238 yards with no touchdowns and one interception.
Garoppolo’s Performance So Far
Garoppolo, who previously played for the San Francisco 49ers and New England Patriots, has had a rough start to his tenure with the Raiders. In his first three starts, he passed for 709 yards, five touchdowns, and a league-high six interceptions. While he has been efficient in the short-to-intermediate areas of the field, he has struggled to push the ball vertically and has been too careless with the football.
The Raiders are hoping that Garoppolo can bounce back and improve his performance. Las Vegas needs him to be much better in order for their struggling offense, which has yet to score 20 points this season, to turn things around.
Injury Concerns for Raiders
In addition to Garoppolo’s return, there are injury concerns for the Raiders. Wide receiver Davante Adams (shoulder) and cornerback Nate Hobbs (ankle) didn’t practice on Thursday or Friday. Their availability for the upcoming game against the Packers is uncertain, and their absence could impact the Raiders’ performance.
Looking Ahead
With Garoppolo back in the lineup, the Raiders are hoping for a better offensive showing against the Packers. Garoppolo’s experience and skill set make him the clear choice to start over O’Connell. However, he will need to improve his decision-making and ball security to help the team succeed.
The Raiders’ offense has struggled to find consistency and put up points this season. They will need a strong performance from Garoppolo and their supporting cast to have a chance against the Packers, who have a formidable defense.
In conclusion, Jimmy Garoppolo’s return from concussion protocol is a positive development for the Las Vegas Raiders. The team is hoping that he can bounce back from a rough start to the season and lead them to victory against the Green Bay Packers. However, Garoppolo will need to improve his performance and make better decisions with the football to help the struggling Raiders’ offense find success.