Jimmy Garoppolo out for Raiders’ game at Chargers

By Case Keefer (contact)

Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023 | 3:25 p.m.

Either Brian Hoyer or Aidan O’Connell will become the fourth quarterback to start a game for the Raiders since the franchise moved to Las Vegas as they meet the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday at SoFi Stadium.

Las Vegas starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo did not clear concussion protocol after suffering a head injury in a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers last Sunday night and therefore didn’t travel with the team Saturday.

Garoppolo appeared to be on track to play after practicing each of the last two days, but it’s increasingly difficult to get out of the NFL’s concussion protocol in less than a week. He didn’t end up passing all the necessary steps and was therefore ineligible to rejoin the team.

Garoppolo didn’t miss any snaps against the Steelers but took a big helmet-to-helmet hit that drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty late in the game. He then self-reported concussion symptoms after the game to get evaluated and ultimately placed in the protocol.

Hoyer has served as Garoppolo’s backup in each of the Raiders’ first four games, with O’Connell filling the emergency quarterback role. Debate has raged among the fan base regarding who should start without Garoppolo, however, after O’Connell excelled in the preseason and led the NFL in passer rating.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Raiders will also be without a key contributor as cornerback Nate Hobbs was ruled out with an ankle injury at the same time as Garoppolo.

It’s been a busy Saturday for the silver and black after the team also released edge rusher Chandler Jones, who had been away from the team for the last month, following his arrest for violating a domestic violence temporary protection order.

Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or