Fantasy Football Injury News: Jimmy Garoppolo Out, Aidan O’Connell Expected to Start

Let’s take a look at the latest injury news and notes around fantasy football. To stay up to date on all of the latest fantasy football news, be sure to follow @FantasyProsNFL on Twitter and bookmark the FantasyPros NFL Player News page.

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Fantasy Football Injury News

Check out the latest news and notes around the NFL.

Jimmy Garoppolo (concussion) ruled out for Week 4

Jimmy Garoppolo (concussion) has been ruled out for Week 4 by the Las Vegas Raiders ahead of their contest against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday.

Fantasy Impact

Garoppolo will not travel with the team after being unable to clear the league’s concussion protocol despite practicing on a limited basis Friday. With Garoppolo sidelined, either veteran Brian Hoyer or rookie Aidan O’Connell will start behind center for head coach Josh McDaniels Sunday.

Chris Schommer


Aidan O’Connell expected to start for Raiders in Week 4

Rookie QB Aidan O’Connell is expected to make his first career start for the Las Vegas Raiders with QB Jimmy Garoppolo (concussion) slated to miss.

Fantasy Impact

Though backup Brian Hoyer was expected to be next up, the Raiders are taking a chance with their preseason standout in O’Connell. Hoyer hasn’t won a game since 2016 (0-9 since), and he doesn’t hold the long-term outlook in Vegas that O’Connell does. The rookie QB is also not afraid to attack downfield, making Raiders WRs an interesting fantasy play against the Los Angeles Chargers’ vulnerable defense.

Jordan Epp


Expert Outlook

Garoppolo has been ruled out (concussion). It’s unclear who will start in his place this week. It could be either Aidan O’Connell or Brian Hoyer. Whoever it is under center this week will have a glorious matchup. The Chargers have allowed the second-highest yards per attempt, the sixth-highest passer rating, and the most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. Every skill player on the Raiders offense should hope O’Connell gets the start. Among 79 qualifying quarterbacks in the preseason, O’Connell ranked sixth in passing grade, 18th in adjusted completion rate, and 16th in yards per attempt. Hoyer was abysmal. Among the same preseason sample of quarterbacks, Hoyer was 72nd in passing grade and 61st in adjusted completion rate. If Hoyer starts, I won’t be surprised if the Raiders lean heavily on the run. Each quarterback is a QB2 that you are only worrying about a start or sit decision with in a Superflex format. O’Connell is the only one with any chance at a ceiling outcome, though.

-Derek Brown

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