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Raiders Open Aidan O’Connell’s 21-Day Return Window as Geno Smith Faces Scrutiny

The move triggers a three-week clock to decide on Aidan O’Connell’s activation from injured reserve.

Overview

  • O’Connell returned to practice roughly two months after fracturing his right wrist in the preseason, with the window opened Wednesday.
  • The Raiders now have 21 days to activate the third-year quarterback to the 53-man roster or leave him on IR under NFL rules.
  • Geno Smith, acquired for a third-round pick and extended for two years at $75 million, has 10 interceptions to seven touchdowns and was briefly pulled in a Week 7 loss to the Chiefs.
  • Smith remains the starter coming out of the bye for Sunday’s game against Jacksonville, while Kenny Pickett—acquired from Cleveland for a 2026 fifth-rounder—has seen limited action.
  • Coach Pete Carroll said O’Connell threw with the team for the first time since the injury and his role is undecided as the 2-5 Raiders sit last in the AFC West.