The Chargers look like they’ve gotten their groove back against the Raiders.
Los Angeles has dominated Las Vegas through two quarters and have a 24-7 halftime lead.
Justin Herbert is 10-of-16 passing for 102 yards with a touchdown and he’s also rushed for two TDs. Herbert took in a 12-yard scramble to open the scoring on Los Angeles’ first drive. Then he capped the first-half scoring with a score on a QB sneak with 3:05 left in the first half.
Los Angeles has taken advantage of a pair of takeaways, scoring touchdowns on each extra possession.
With Jimmy Garoppolo sidelined with a concussion, rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell got the start. He’s lost two fumbles on strip-sacks while completing 7-of-11 passes for 77 yards. Josh Jacobs has just 25 yards on eight carries.
The Raiders have just six first downs. They’re 0-4 on third down and are averaging just 3.4 yards per play.
Davante Adams had to exit for a bit with a shoulder injury but was back on the field for the end of the first half.
Defensive tackle Jerry Tiller was also ejected for a late hit out of bounds on Herbert.
The Raiders will receive the second-half kickoff.
Raiders defensive tackle Jerry Tillery has been ejected from Sunday’s game against the Chargers after hitting quarterback Justin Herbert late and out of bounds.
The play occurred with 9:01 left in the second quarter. Herbert evaded defensive end Maxx Crosby in the backfield and scrambled for a 3-yard gain to the Las Vegas 32. But after Herbert had stepped out of bounds, Tillery lowered his shoulder and hit Herbert.
With the foul occurring on the Chargers sideline, a crowd of L.A. players immediately came to Herbert’s defense.
Tillery was assessed the foul and disqualified.
A Chargers first-round pick in 2019, Tillery entered Week 4 with a sack and seven total tackles so far this season.
The Raiders may have to play the rest of Sunday’s game without their best receiver.
Davante Adams is questionable to return with a shoulder injury.
Adams was driven hard into the ground on an incomplete pass midway with 10:36 left in the second quarter. Rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell’s pass was behind Adams, so the receiver couldn’t pull it in despite getting his hands on it. Adams stayed on the ground and was taken to the locker room for further examination, walking under his own power.
Shortly after the Raiders announced Adams’ status as questionable.
The Chargers also have an injury concern with a skill player, as tight end Donald Parham is questionable to return with a wrist injury.
Los Angeles leads Las Vegas 17-7 with 7:20 left in the second quarter.
UPDATE 5:35 p.m. ET: Davante Adams has returned to the game with 1:11 left in the second quarter.
The Chargers and Raiders have several key players on the inactives list for their divisional matchup in Week 4.
For Los Angeles, safety Derwin James, edge rusher Joey Bosa, and running back Austin Ekeler are all among the inactives. All three were doubtful entering Sunday.
But the Chargers have a bye next week, which could give all three players the opportunity to be healthy for Los Angeles’ next game.
On the other side, Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is inactive and rookie Aidan O’Connell is reportedly expected to start over veteran Brian Hoyer.
Las Vegas’ safety Chris Smith and defensive tackle Nesta Jade Silvera are active for the first time.
The Raiders’ inactives are Garoppolo, safety Isaiah Pola-Mao, cornerback Nate Hobbs, linebacker Malik Reed, linebacker Amari Burney, receiver Kristian Wilkerson, and defensive tackle Byron Young.
Los Angeles has James, Bosa, Ekeler, safety Alohi Gilman, cornerback Deane Leonard, offensive lineman Zack Bailey, and defensive lineman Christopher Hinton inactive.
Aidan O’Connell will be the starting quarterback for the Raiders today against the Chargers.
With Jimmy Garoppolo ruled out because of a concussion, Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels has decided O’Connell will start instead of backup Brian Hoyer, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Hoyer has been listed ahead of O’Connell on the Raiders’ depth chart, but it’s not surprising that McDaniels has decided to see what O’Connell can do. The Raiders need a spark after a disappointing start to the season, and O’Connell could provide it.
A 25-year-old rookie who started 28 games during six years at Purdue, O’Connell arrived in Las Vegas as a fourth-round draft pick and impressed in the preseason. Now he’ll get to show what he can do against a struggling Chargers defense.
Garoppolo will presumably start again once he’s cleared from the concussion protocol, but McDaniels would love to see O’Connell play well enough to make that a difficult decision.