Former South Alabama QB Carter Bradley Named Starting Quarterback for Raiders in Preseason Week 3

In the third week of the NFL preseason, Carter Bradley, a former South Alabama quarterback, will start for the Las Vegas Raiders. After a limited debut where he only handed off the ball, Bradley had a chance to pass in the Raiders' second preseason game. Now, he’s been named the starting quarterback for their upcoming game.

Las Vegas coach Antonio Pierce announced that Gardner Minshew won the starting job over Aidan O’Connell. Minshew, who joined the Raiders in March after playing 13 games with the Indianapolis Colts in 2023, will not play in the final preseason game. O’Connell, who started 10 games for the Raiders last season, will also sit out.

Bradley will take the field against the San Francisco 49ers at 9 p.m. CDT Friday. Pierce noted that Bradley showed improvement, having only handed off the ball nine times in his first game and passing more in the second. This upcoming game will give him a chance to show his skills further.

In the Raiders' close loss to the Minnesota Vikings on August 10, Bradley handed off the ball nine times. In their loss to the Dallas Cowboys on August 17, he completed 8 of 13 passes for 56 yards and ran for 6 yards.

Veteran quarterback Nathan Peterman also joins the Raiders, having signed on August 13. The team waived quarterback Anthony Brown three days later.

Bradley, who went undrafted in May, had a successful college career at South Alabama, completing 496 of 751 passes for 5,995 yards with 47 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. His performance in this preseason could determine his future in the NFL, as teams must finalize their rosters by Tuesday at 3 p.m.

Coach Pierce emphasized the importance of this final preseason game for Bradley and other players vying for roster spots. They are competing not just for a spot on the Raiders but for opportunities across the NFL.

In other news, the Alabama Game of the Week features the Cleveland Browns vs. the Seattle Seahawks, with 20 players from Alabama high schools and colleges participating.

Preseason Week 3 Schedule:

Thursday

• Indianapolis Colts at Cincinnati Bengals (-6.5), 7 p.m. (Prime Video)
• Chicago Bears (-1) at Kansas City Chiefs, 7:20 p.m. (NFL Network)

Friday

• Jacksonville Jaguars (-7) at Atlanta Falcons, 6 p.m. (WPMI 15.1, WBRC 6.1, WTBM 24.2, WAFF 48.3, WTVY 4.1, WTVY 4.2, NFL Network)
• Miami Dolphins at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3), 6:30 p.m. (WKRG 5.1, WMBB 13.1)
• San Francisco 49ers (-6.5) at Las Vegas Raiders, 9 p.m. (NFL Network)

Saturday

• Carolina Panthers (-4) at Buffalo Bills, noon
• Pittsburgh Steelers (-6.5) at Detroit Lions, noon (NFL Network)
• Baltimore Ravens at Green Bay Packers (-3), noon
• Los Angeles Rams at Houston Texans (-6.5), noon
• Minnesota Vikings (-1) at Philadelphia Eagles, noon
• Los Angeles Chargers at Dallas Cowboys (-3.5), 3 p.m. (NFL Network)
• New York Giants (-2.5) at New York Jets, 6:30 p.m. (NFL Network)
• Cleveland Browns (-1.5) at Seattle Seahawks, 9 p.m. (NFL Network)

Sunday

• Tennessee Titans (-3.5) at New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m. (WALA 10.1, WHNT 19.2, WHDF 15.1, NFL Network)
• Arizona Cardinals at Denver Broncos (-3.5), 3:30 p.m. (CBS)
• New England Patriots (-4) at Washington Commanders, 7 p.m. (NBC)