The hits keep coming as Raider Nation got dealt another dose of bad news on Saturday afternoon. The team will be without starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo versus the Chargers, as he remains in concussion protocol from a head injury suffered last week.
To make matters worse, the defensive side of the ball will be shorthanded when Vegas heads to SoFi Stadium to square off with the Bolts. Nate Hobbs, the Raiders starting slot cornerback, is being held out of the contest due to a nagging ankle injury.
That all comes on the heels of the decision by the organization to part ways with veteran pass rusher Chandler Jones. Although the defense has been without Jones for the entirety of the regular season, it still serves as a negative development for a unit craving more pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Jimmy Garoppolo is OUT for the Raiders.
Brian Hoyer: pic.twitter.com/jbg7FfpjKZ
— RaiderRamble.com™ (@TheRaiderRamble) September 30, 2023
With Jimmy Garoppolo Out, Who Should The Raiders Start At QB?
Speaking of signal-callers, who should the Silver and Black turn to behind center in the absence of Garoppolo? If you want the most likely answer, look no further than journeyman quarterback Brian Hoyer. Hoyer has spent time with nine separate franchises since entering the league in 2009. He was brought to the Raiders for this exact reason, after all.
But swapping out Garoppolo for Hoyer is hard for the fan base to get excited about. Now, if head coach Josh McDaniels opted to start rookie Aidan O’Connell, that would grab the attention of Raider Nation. Even if he’s not quite ready yet, why not give the first-year player a chance against an easily exploitable Charger defense?
Alas, all signs point toward Hoyer becoming QB1 vs. Los Angeles. O’Connell will be elevated to No. 2 on the depth chart, only appearing in the event of an injury. Hopefully, Garoppolo can return to full health for Monday Night Football in Week 5. But we can dream of a scenario where AOC4 seizes the starting role and never looks back, right?
As far as the cornerback room goes, it will likely be a rotation of guys replacing Hobbs. The Chargers boast a fearsome aerial attack, even without the recently injured Mike Williams. It will require Marcus Peters and Jakorian Bennett to hold firm on the boundary while Amik Robertson and Tyler Hall handle slot duties.
Raiders & Chargers: Josh McDaniels vs. Brandon Staley Is The Most Intriguing Matchup
It Won’t Be Easy, But Vegas Must Overcome Absences To Avoid A 1-3 Start
The entire unit must step up and make plays in order to slow down Justin Herbert, Keenan Allen, and Co. At least the Raiders won’t have to worry about the Bolts’ versatile weapon, Austin Ekeler, out of the backfield, as the 28-year-old ball carrier has been ruled out for Week 4.
Whether it’s Hoyer or O’Connell taking snaps for Vegas, they are merely keeping the seat warm for Garoppolo’s return. But with the team staring a 1-3 start in the eyes, it could be an insurmountable hole to climb out. Make no mistake—Josh McDaniels will have to earn his paycheck on Sunday.
*Top Photo: Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images