As Week 5 descends on Allegiant Stadium this Monday night, the Las Vegas Raiders and their beset head coach Josh McDaniels have had some interesting developments take place on Saturday. Specifically, some concerning news surrounds Nate Hobbs and Aidan O’Connell. However, it’s not all doom and gloom, as All-Pro Davante Adams looks like he’ll be ready to go.
McDaniels has been on the receiving end of some major backlash as of late. An underwhelming start (and porous display by a McDaniels-led offense) has some fans thinking it may be best to “tank” the rest of the way. That nonsense notwithstanding, one thing that the Raiders head coach refuses to do is commit to his rookie signal-caller. We all know Jimmy Garoppolo is “his guy.” As soon as the latest loss was on the books, McDaniels made it clear he was going to be the starter as soon as he cleared concussion protocol.
Raiders HC Josh McDaniels refuses to name a QB2
Rather than naming O’Connell as the clear QB2, making sure he’s being prepared for the long run, McDaniels remains uncommitted. While speaking to the media, the Silver and Black head coach responded to The Athletic’s Vic Tafur regarding the quarterback situation. Particularly if O’Connell had done enough to be Garoppolo’s backup—the heir apparent, if you will.
“No, they’re both practicing again. Same thing. I don’t think we’re ever going to say that Vic. As I’ve said before, I think there’s a role for everybody, and when young players have a lot of repetitions, I think it’s a lot easier for them to go in there and be competitive and do their job the right way. When there’s very few or a lot less, I think you’ve just got to make smart decisions and put your team in the right spot as best you can.”
For a team that you’d think would want to avoid a quarterback controversy, Josh McDaniels fumbled the ball, so to speak. Or does he believe Brian Hoyer is the better QB2?
Las Vegas Raiders: Quarterly State Of The Union (Defense)
Davante Adams ready to go, but Nate Hobbs is another story…
With all of that being said, there’s been some positive development, as Davante Adams will indeed be playing against his former team. The ex-Green Bay Packer will be questionable heading into Monday Night Football (h/t Tashan Reed), but as he proved last Sunday, nothing is stopping DA17 from getting onto the field.
On the other hand, the Raiders will once again be without Nate Hobbs. It looks like it’ll be up to the rest of Patrick Graham’s cornerbacks to make due in a pivotal Week 5 matchup.
*Top Photo: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports