Raiders Coach Josh McDaniels Drops Hints on Who Will Be Starting QB Against Chargers

(Photo : Ethan Miller/Getty Images) LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - Head coach Josh McDaniels of the Las Vegas Raiders speaks with Jimmy Garoppolo (#10) of the Las Vegas Raiders in the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Allegiant Stadium.

Las Vegas Raiders coach Josh McDaniels will have a big decision to make heading into their Week 4 clash with the Los Angeles Chargers. Jimmy Garoppolo is still in concussion protocol, which may force McDaniels to switch to a new starting play-caller.

McDaniels is aware of the predicament he is in right now and may be left to choose between veteran Brian Hoyer and rookie Aidan O'Connell.

The 47-year-old mentioned that experience would be key in determining who will be the Raiders starting QB in a report by ESPN. However, he cautions that choosing the right play-caller will be situational.

"You evaluate it in real-time," McDaniels said. "Experience is valuable, and at the same time, we will try to play the right person, based on what the situation is and how practice goes, if that's what it comes down to."

Raiders holding out hope for Garoppolo

Garoppolo was understandably a no-show at Raiders practice, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported. Hence, this is an amiable reason Hoyer and O'Connell need to be ready.

Hoyer appears to have the inside track because of his experience. However, the Raiders could take a chance on O'Connell, hoping he proves to be a gem. It has happened before with other NFL teams, although huge risks are involved.

But before all that, McDaniel remains optimistic about the chances of Garoppolo being ready before they face the Chargers.

"He's already moving through (the steps)," McDaniels said of Garoppolo, who was in the locker room after practice with teammates. "Again, it doesn't mean that we know what the ultimate end result will be, but he's doing good so far. And that's out of my jurisdiction, so we'll just find out when they tell us."