DesmondRidder

News: 8 hours agoRidder completed five of 10 passes for 64 yards after replacing replacing Gardner Minshew (collarbone) during Sunday's 29-19 loss to the Broncos. Ridder added three rushing yards on one carry.

Spin: Minshew took a sack late in the fourth quarter and suffered a broken collarbone that will cost him the rest of the season, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Ridder took over for the Raiders and was sacked himself two plays later, losing a fumble, but on his one full drive under center he nearly led Las Vegas to a touchdown, only for Tre Tucker to be ruled down short of the goal line inside the final minute. Aidan O'Connell (thumb) will be eligible to return from IR for a Week 13 trip to Kansas City, but if he's not ready Ridder would be in line for his first start of the season. There's also a chance the Raiders could bring in a quarterback like Daniel Jones from outside the organization.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Ridder drew comparisons to Marcus Mariota throughout the draft process in 2022. Therefore, it didn't seem entirely odd when he replaced the vet as the Falcons' QB1 in 2023. What was head-scratching, however, was Ridder's rigidity in the pocket. This contributed to a limited number of passing attempts (25.9 per game) and underwhelming aerial stats (2,836 pass yards). The bulk of Ridder's fantasy production came via his legs, as he recorded 53 carries, though those opportunities proved inefficient, as the former Bearcat managed just 193 rushing yards over 15 games. Ridder will start fresh in Arizona behind Kyler Murray. Given Murray's injury history, it's possible Ridder finds his way onto the field at some point in 2024, but he won't be a fantasy option.