O’Connell marks another QB deficit, adding another setback to a 2024 season that has seen plenty of ups and downs. He initially lost the quarterback battle to Minshew early in the season, then regained the title in Week 5 before breaking his thumb two weeks later against the Rams.

His original four-week absence due to the thumb injury led Las Vegas to sign Ridder from the Cardinals’ practice squad. With O’Connell out again, Ridder gets the chance to make his first start in silver and black.

Despite being 0-4 with just 889 passing yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions this year, O’Connell has still represented the Raiders’ most consistent option under center over the final month of games. But it’s not like that Ridder had no experience.

The 2022 third-round pick has played 17 games, all of which came with Monday’s opponent.

Atlanta pegged Ridder as a potential QB of the future, but after he went 8-9 with 3,544 passing yards, 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions over two years, the Falcons took the bait by trading him to Arizona in the offseason.

Ridder’s fortuitous trip gives him an opportunity to play spoilsport against Atlanta, which has lost four straight and now trails the Buccaneers in the NFC South after appearing to have a stranglehold on the league in early November.

That’s a storyline to keep an eye on as the Falcons (6-7) and Raiders (2-11) tip off on Monday at 8:30 p.m. ET.