According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Media, the Las Vegas Raiders are signing quarterback Desmond Ridder from the Arizona Cardinals practice squad.

With news of Aidan O’Connell heading to injured reserve with a broken thumb suffered in Sunday’s 20-15 loss to the Los Angeles Rams earlier today, it comes as no surprise that the Raiders are adding another quarterback to the active added selection. . However, it is somewhat shocking that Las Vegas went this route instead of promoting rookie free agent Carter Bradley, who is currently on the practice squad.

Ridder does have starting experience, as he logged 17 starts (19 games total) for the Atlanta Falcons in 2022 and 2023. He compiled an 8-9 record while completing 64 percent of his passes for 3,544 yards, 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He also had 69 rushes for 257 yards and five touchdowns with the Falcons.

Atlanta drafted the University of Cincinnati product in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft in hopes he could become the organization’s quarterback of the future. However, the front office opted to trade him to Arizona this offseason, while Kirk Cousins ​​signed in free agency and the club signed Michael Penix Jr. drafted in the first round of last April’s draft.

Behind Kyler Murray, Ridder competed with Clayton Tune for the Cardinals’ backup quarterback spot this summer. Tune ultimately won the job, which is why Ridder was included on the practice squad available for the Raiders to pick up.

Depending on how quickly Ridder can figure out the playbook, he will likely have a shot at starting in Las Vegas while O’Connell is out for the next four to six weeks. Gardner Minshew is the team’s presumed starter moving forward, but Minshew lost the job to O’Connell prior to the Steelers game two weeks ago.

Ridder, who is only 25 years old and turns 26 in August, could also be considered a bet to be the Raiders’ long-term solution under center. Those chances are slim, but he could get a chance to prove himself in the coming weeks as Las Vegas is currently looking for the quarterback of the future.