HENDERSON, Nev. — The Las Vegas Raiders received a boost in morale with the announcement that their quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo, has recovered from his back injury and is set to take the field against the Detroit Lions this Monday night. The confirmation came directly from Raiders coach Josh McDaniels on Saturday.
“It’s evident that Jimmy is feeling much better,” McDaniels remarked. “Like everyone on the team, he’s eager to steer us towards a winning trajectory. His leadership qualities shone throughout this week’s practices. His dedication towards improving the team’s red-zone and scoring efforts was particularly commendable.”
Recalling the recent events, Garoppolo had to exit the game just before halftime during the Raiders’ victory against the New England Patriots on Oct. 15 at Allegiant Stadium. The nature of his injury was so severe that he was immediately transported to a nearby hospital for diagnostic tests amid concerns about potential internal damage.
In his absence during the Raiders’ surprising 30-12 defeat to the Chicago Bears last week, veteran quarterback Brian Hoyer took the reins. Despite not playing, Garoppolo still traveled with the squad as they moved to a 3-4 season record. Reflecting on the experience, Garoppolo shared, “Observing from the sidelines offers a unique perspective, but I’m itching to get back into the fray. Our upcoming match against Detroit is a pivotal one.”
This isn’t Garoppolo’s first absence this season. He previously sat out during the Raiders’ 24-17 setback against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 4, where rookie Aidan O’Connell got the nod as the starter.
After penning a three-year deal worth $72.75 million with the Raiders during the offseason and subsequently undergoing left foot surgery in March, Garoppolo has thrown for 1,079 yards, completing 68.0% of his passes, resulting in seven touchdowns and eight interceptions.
Meanwhile, there’s a shadow of uncertainty regarding All-Pro Daniel Carlson’s availability. He’s grappling with a groin injury sustained during the pregame drills at Chicago and hasn’t been practicing. To bolster their squad, the Raiders have brought on board James McCourt. Speaking about the new addition, McDaniels praised, “McCourt has integrated seamlessly into the team. His robust performance during practice sessions, especially his coordination with our snapper and holder, makes us confident about relying on him if the situation demands.”