Raiders Quarterback Aidan O'Connell Lost His Father
The veteran quarterback has remained away from team practices for one week following his father's death.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Football
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell has been away from the team for one week following the death of his father, Jim O'Connell. The news of the loss was shared via an Instagram post by the fourth-year player.
Why it matters
O'Connell's absence comes at a critical point for the Raiders, as the team adjusts its roster rotation. The exact timeline for his return to the practice field remains unclear.
Aidan O'Connell has started 17 of his 21 professional games during his fourth season with the franchise. He has remained away from team activities for one full week, with no firm date set for his return.
The players
Aidan O'Connell
Aidan O'Connell is a fourth-year quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders.
Jim O'Connell
Jim O'Connell was the father of Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell.
Kirk Cousins
Kirk Cousins is a quarterback currently on the Las Vegas Raiders roster.
Fernando Mendoza
Fernando Mendoza is a quarterback currently on the Las Vegas Raiders roster.
The details
O'Connell, who is in his fourth professional season, missed the recent game against the Los Angeles Chargers. As he remains away from the facility, the team has relied on other quarterbacks including Kirk Cousins and Fernando Mendoza to manage practice reps. The organization has not provided a status update regarding his return to the lineup.
Timeline
September 2026: Aidan O'Connell announced the death of his father.
September 21, 2026: O'Connell missed the game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Beyond the Strip
This absence arrives during the heart of the 2026 NFL regular season, affecting the team's roster availability. It marks a departure from typical game-week rotations as the coaching staff adjusts for the loss of a key player.
Fans should monitor team injury and availability reports to see how the quarterback rotation evolves. The absence of a starter like O'Connell will continue to influence how the Raiders manage their offensive depth during practice sessions.
The takeaway
The team's focus remains on managing the roster in O'Connell's absence. Watch for updates regarding the starting lineup before the Raiders' next scheduled contest.
Further reading
For more updates on team developments, visit the Football section.
