Jimmy Garoppolo injury update: Josh McDaniels says Raiders QB 'dodged a big bullet' with back, status unclear

Garoppolo suffered the injury in the second quarter against the Patriots

Jimmy Garoppolo was ruled out of Sunday's Week 6 matchup with the Patriots due to a back injury he suffered in the second quarter on the final drive before the half. The veteran quarterback was taken to a local hospital because of concerns about an "internal issue," but things have seemingly been trending in a more positive direction. 

On Monday, Josh McDaniels told reporters that Garoppolo "dodged a big bullet" regarding the back injury, via Pro Football Talk. The head coach added that there is still more to "uncover" regarding the injury and was uncertain about his status for Week 7 when they visit the Bears. Still, McDaniels said that "the prognosis is a lot better than it otherwise might have been."

Garoppolo suffered the injury in the second quarter on a throw to wideout Jakobi Meyers. He was hit by Patriots linebacker Jahlani Tavai on the play and was in noticeable discomfort despite remaining in the game. Las Vegas settled for a field goal on that drive to go into the locker room up 13-3 at halftime and the club then turned to Brian Hoyer to begin the second half. 

Up until that injury, Garoppolo had completed 14 of 22 for 162 yards, a touchdown to Meyers, and an interception. In relief, Hoyer was 6 of 10 for 102 yards as the Raiders notched the 21-17 win over New England to move to 3-3 on the season.

Garoppolo signed a three-year, $67.5 million contract with the Raiders this offseason after spending the last few years with the San Francisco 49ers. Throughout his career, injuries have been a major piece of Garoppolo's story, and he has played 15 or more games in just two of his six seasons as the full-time starter with the Niners. Last season, Garoppolo appeared in 11 games for San Francisco before suffering a season-ending foot injury that famously thrust Brock Purdy into the starting spot for the club. 

This season, Garoppolo was 2-2 in his four starts and had completed 68.8% of his passes with an 82.6 passer rating coming into Week 6. He also averaged 229.3 passing yards per game and had six passing touchdowns to go with seven interceptions. 

If Garoppolo is sidelined, it doesn't sound like it would be for as long as initially feared by the team. Still, McDaniels would then be faced with the decision of either starting Hoyer or turning to rookie fourth-round pick Aidan O'Connell.