Aidan O’Connell

Latest On Raiders’ Draft Plans; Team Open To Trading Aidan O’Connell?

April 23rd, 2025 at 3:28pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Raiders’ Geno Smith acquisition and extension all but certainly takes them out of the QB mix at No. 6 overall. But they are still being mentioned as a team interested in addressing the position later.

Jalen Milroe came up as a Raiders target early in the pre-draft process, and now that a Smith extension is worked out, a long runway could be in place for a player deemed a raw prospect with a high ceiling. The Raiders remain on the Milroe radar, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler notes. An early-second-round selection could be how Milroe’s draft process ends, though some execs informed Fowler the athletic Alabama option could land as a late-first-round choice.

That would require a trade-up from the Raiders, and we have certainly heard plenty about trade-ups for passers in this year’s draft. A frenzy could develop after the Browns and Giants — as they are expected to — choose Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter at Nos. 2 and 3. The Saints and Steelers have joined those teams as those doing extensive work on QBs, but the Rams, Raiders and Dolphins join them in being candidates to add one. Based on the volume — in a draft that has brought tremendous scrutiny on its non-Cam Ward options — multiple teams will be left out of this draft’s second tier at the position.

The Raiders, however, are still interested in Texas’ Quinn Ewers as well. Connected to the Texas starter earlier this offseason, Las Vegas has also done work on national championship-winning Ohio State QB Will Howard, Fowler adds. But they are higher on Ewers than Howard, per The Athletic’s Tashan Reed. ESPN’s Scouts Inc. slots Howard 105th and Ewers 111th in this class. By opting for this tier of QB, the Raiders could aim higher with their earlier-round choices, as they attempt to help a now-Smith-centered roster.

A Milroe move would obviously negate an Ewers investment, but either would be unlikely to seriously threaten Smith’s job security in 2025. Smith’s team-friendly contract gives the Raiders time to evaluate QBs, as this could be a multi-draft project. The Raiders having acquired Smith rather than take their chances with these free agency and draft crops is rather telling, as it would certainly be interesting to see them make that move and then dive back into Round 1 for Milroe. The Raiders’ second-round pick checks in at No. 37 overall.

At No. 6, the team has been closely tied to Ashton Jeanty. Smokescreen season notwithstanding, it would be rather surprising if Jeanty made it past Vegas at 6. The Jaguars have now been connected to choosing the Heisman runner-up at 5, but The Athletic’s Dianna Russini adds some strong cases for an O-line add have been made within the organization. We heard recently the Raiders would target an O-lineman at No. 6, but that appeared contingent on Jeanty being off the board. Russini’s assessment points to the team considering going O-line over the ex-Boise State dynamo.

If the Raiders are to go O-line at No. 6, The Athletic’s Vic Tafur offers that the team is believed to like Texas’ Kelvin Banks Jr. more than Mizzou’s Armand Membou. Seeing a wide gap form between the SEC blockers’ prospect values, Banks looks to gained steam as the draft nears. The prospect of Ewers’ LT going in the top 10 appears in play, as Banks has also been connected to the Jets at 7. Membou would not stand to fall too far if Banks goes ahead of him, even with some teams viewing the college RT as a guard going forward.

The Raiders’ QB plans may well impact Aidan O’Connell. Closing both his two NFL seasons as the Raiders’ starter, the former fourth-round pick has come up as a trade candidate during this year’s draft, per Russini. The Raiders pitted O’Connell in a competition with Gardner Minshew last year, and while the younger passer lost, he was frequently called upon as Antonio Pierce benched Minshew. The latter’s season-ending injury moved O’Connell back into a starter role. He is 7-10 as a starter in two seasons, which is fairly impressive considering the rosters the Raiders trotted out in that time.

Two years remain on O’Connell’s rookie contract. The Raiders moving O’Connell would likely come after they have added another backup option, as only 2024 UDFA Carter Bradley is rostered beyond Smith at the position.

Latest On Tom Brady’s Raiders Path; Team Likely To Fire Antonio Pierce?

January 3rd, 2025 at 3:24pm CST by Sam Robinson

Antonio Pierce certainly has not enjoyed too much of a chance to impress as Raiders HC. Although the Raiders coach said (via The Athletic’s Vic Tafur) Aidan O’Connell can be an NFL starting quarterback, the team did not equip its inexperienced sideline leader with much at the game’s premier position. Unsurprisingly, the team hovers near the top of the 2025 draft order.

The past two offseasons also brought Sean Payton and Jim Harbaugh into the Raiders’ division, one that has been ruled by the Andy Reid–Patrick Mahomes tandem for man years. Without a quarterback or a proven coach, the Raiders are significantly lacking as the 2024 season winds down. A pivotal offseason looms, and Pierce has been under the microscope for a while now.

Despite players stumping for the team’s 2023 interim leader — to the point Maxx Crosby threatened a trade request — Pierce has the Raiders at 4-12. Even with the team having won its past two games, the general expectation around the league is for the Raiders to move on after Week 18, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler notes. The Raiders did not conduct a thorough coaching search before bumping Pierce up to the full-time post; it would stand to reason the team would be ready to do so if/when it fires the former Super Bowl-winning linebacker.

Pierce has not inspired too much confidence in his first season as a full-timer. He also took a historically unusual route to a full-time gig, having no experience as an NFL coordinator or college head coach. Concerns about how Pierce assembled his staff — which has already seen an OC change, with Luke Getsy being fired midseason — also came out during this disappointing season.

Minority owner Tom Brady is expected to play a key role in the Raiders’ quarterback search, and if Pierce is canned, the legendary QB-turned-announcer would be a central figure in the team’s effort to replace him. It is quite unusual for a minority owner to possess this much power, but Brady is certainly a special case due to his standing in the game. However, the new part-owner is not believed to be ready for a regular day-to-day role with the Raiders, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer notes. He also will be on FOX’s Super Bowl broadcast as the lead analyst, complicating his part in a Raiders HC search — should one take shape.

A Brady-Mike Vrabel connection surfaced this week, and it would seem likely the former Titans HC takes a meeting with the franchise. Though, the Raiders having fired McDaniels — whom Vrabel has remained close with, to the point the unemployed coach has been mentioned as a potential Vrabel OC — may complicate matters for an in-demand candidate. Vrabel met with the Jets today and is believed to be interested in the Patriots’ job, should it become available.

Having gone 5-4 as an interim coach, Pierce drew interest from multiple teams last January. The Titans interviewed him, and the Falcons submitted a request. The 46-year-old HC’s stock has dipped a bit, but it would be rather interesting if Davis bailed on a coach one year in after firing McDaniels 1 1/2 seasons in. Pierce and McDaniels now have equal 9-16 records as Raiders HCs.

While Pierce is not a lock to be fired, it says plenty about his standing and the Raiders’ descent he is already being mentioned so frequently in firing rumors. This is a situation to monitor as Black Monday nears.

Aidan O’Connell Suffers Bone Bruise; Raiders QB Not Ruled Out For Week 15

December 9th, 2024 at 2:24pm CST by Adam La Rose

When an air cast was placed on Aidan O’Connell‘s leg prior to being carted off the field, the possibility existed he would be dealing with a major injury. A report from Sunday night indicated the Raiders feared the second-year quarterback suffered a season-ending knee injury, but the worst-case scenario appears to have been avoided.

Further testing revealed O’Connell is dealing with a bone bruise, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Considering the potential for more drastic outcomes, that is certainly a welcomed development for team and player. O’Connell will attempt to play in Week 15, so his status over the coming days will be key.

O’Connell already had a stint on injured reserve earlier this year, with his activation coming in time for him to replace Gardner Minshew in the lineup. The latter is out for the year due to a broken collarbone, an injury which opened the door for O’Connell to once again compete for a potential starting spot in 2025. Things have generally not gone well in that regard, with O’Connell’s play on Black Friday being an exception. If he can manage to suit up, though, the Purdue product could continue auditioning for a role next season.

Two more years remain on O’Connell’s rookie contract, so he should still be in consideration for at least a depth spot on Vegas’ QB depth chart moving forward. Minshew is also on the books for 2025, however, and the Raiders are on track to be in position to select a quarterback in the upcoming draft. A strong end to the season would not give the team a chance at a postseason berth, but it would help O’Connell’s stock in the organization.

The Raiders’ other healthy option under center is Desmond Ridder, who took over yesterday after O’Connell’s injury. The former Falcon would be in position to start against his former team if he were to get the nod for Week 15, but that will depend on O’Connell’s ability to recovery in short order.

Raiders Fear QB Aidan O’Connell Suffered Season-Ending Knee Injury

December 8th, 2024 at 9:16pm CST by Adam La Rose

9:15 PM: Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports has broken the confirmation that O’Connell’s leg injury is indeed serious. Per Schultz, O’Connell suffered a season-ending knee injury in today’s loss to the Buccaneers.

With O’Connell likely joining Minshew on IR, the remaining four starts of the season should fall to Ridder. The only other quarterback in Las Vegas, aside from part-owner Tom Brady, of course, is practice squad rookie Carter Bradley out of South Alabama, who will likely need to be called up to the active roster. If the Raiders want more bodies in the room, they’ll need to sign a free agent or practice squad member from another franchise.

3:21 PM: The Raiders have already been dealt one notable blow on the injury front with respect to the quarterback position. They appear to have endured another during Sunday’s action.

Aidan O’Connell went down with a leg injury during the third quarter of Vegas’ game against the Buccaneers. An air cast was placed on his left leg before he was carted off the field. Such circumstances are often tied to major injuries and lengthy absences, and the Raiders will be further shorthanded at the QB spot if that proves to be true in this instance.

Gardner Minshew suffered a broken collarbone last month, leaving O’Connell in position to reclaim starting duties upon being activated from injured reserve. Minshew had won the offseason competition used to determine Vegas’ Week 1 starter, but neither passer impressed during training camp or the preseason. O’Connell saw playing time prior to landing on IR, and Minshew’s injury coincided with his return to action.

The 2023 fourth-rounder has not enjoyed much success this year, although his showing against the Chiefs on Black Friday (314 yards, two touchdowns, zero interceptions) showcased the potential for a late-season run of stronger outings. Instead, O’Connell’s attention will now turn to recovery as the Raiders move forward with Desmond Ridder under center. The former Falcon has made three appearances so far in 2024, his debut Vegas campaign. Ridder – a pending restricted free agent – could play his way into a deal with the Raiders or another team with his showings in the coming weeks if he finds himself as their only available passer.

For O’Connell, this development marks another unwanted mark on his efforts to secure a starting gig with the Raiders. He and Minshew are under contract for next year, but Vegas has long been seen as a suitor for a notable QB addition this offseason. With neither signal-caller easing doubts about their future before being injured, the Raiders will no doubt be a team to watch closely on that front.

Vegas lost 28-13 to Tampa Bay on Sunday, dropping the team’s record 2-11 on the year. The Raiders could very well be in position to select a passer during the first round of the draft as a result. O’Connell, 26, could return again this season depending on the severity of his injury, but he may well be sidelined until a 2025 campaign which could included new faces under center.

Raiders Activate QB Aidan O’Connell, Place CB Jakorian Bennett On IR

November 28th, 2024 at 12:25pm CST by Adam La Rose

Aidan O’Connell will indeed be in place for the Raiders for their Black Friday contest. The second-year quarterback was activated from injured reserve on Thursday, per a team announcement.

[RELATED: IR Return Tracker]

O’Connell was designated for return earlier this week with the expectation he would be activated in time to start against the Chiefs tomorrow. The QB1 gig will be his the rest of the way this year given Gardner Minshew‘s broken collarbone. Minshew was officially moved to IR in a corresponding move.

The Raiders have been linked to a quarterback pursuit this offseason given their struggles on offense, although both Minshew and O’Connell are under contract for 2025. The latter has made 12 total starts in the NFL, but after showing a degree of promise late last season the current campaign has not gone according to plan. O’Connell, 26, will be joined on the depth chart by Desmond Ridder over the coming weeks but it would come as no surprise if one or more new signal-callers were to be added this offseason.

Vegas also placed cornerback Jakorian Bennett on IR Thursday. The 2023 fourth-rounder handled rotational duties as a rookie but he has been a mainstay in the secondary this season. Bennett has logged a defensive snap share of 71% this season, posting 26 tackles and eight pass deflections. In coverage, the Maryland product has allowed a completion percentage of just 52.3% and has yet to surrender a touchdown as the nearest defender. His absence (which will last at least the next four games) will be acutely felt in the Raiders’ secondary.

The Bennett move opened up a spot on the active roster, and it has been filled by wideout Terrace Marshall. The former Panthers draftee was waived during roster cutdowns and he briefly spent time on the 49ers’ practice squad. Marshall has most recently been with Vegas, and has been used as a gameday elevation once already. The former second-rounder will now get a look on the roster as he looks to carve out a role in the team’s receiving corps.

Raiders Designate QB Aidan O’Connell For Return; Daniel Jones Rules Out Las Vegas

November 26th, 2024 at 9:23am CST by Sam Robinson

NOVEMBER 26: The Raiders do indeed plan to start O’Connell this week, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports. With Minshew sidelined for the remainder of the year, O’Connell will be in place to retain QB1 duties the rest of the way.

NOVEMBER 25: Gardner Minshew failed to finish a Raiders-Broncos game for the second time, with the oft-benched quarterback going down with a broken collarbone yesterday. Antonio Pierce confirmed reports of the break Monday and said Aidan O’Connell is in play to return this week.

The Raiders have since designated O’Connell for return from IR. This marked the second-year quarterback’s first week of return eligibility. The Raiders will now have 21 days to activate the QB to the active roster, but it sounds like O’Connell could return as soon as Black Friday. The signal caller has been rehabbing a broken thumb suffered in late October.

With Minshew failing to impress to begin the campaign, O’Connell eventually took over atop the depth chart. He got his first start in Week 6, completing 27 of his 40 pass attempts for 227 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. However, he was knocked out of his second start after only 14 snaps, and his placement on IR kept him off the field for the past four games.

In four appearances this season, O’Connell completed 63.4 percent of his passes for two touchdowns and two interceptions. This followed a 2023 campaign where the rookie fourth-round pick went 5-5 while throwing 12 touchdowns vs. 11 interceptions. While the Raiders are well outside of the playoff picture, O’Connell will still have a chance to build on his career numbers for the stretch run of the season.

He could also make an argument for the QB1 role ahead of the 2025 campaign. O’Connell remains attached to his rookie contract through 2026, while Minshew was added on a two-year pact in the spring. The Raiders should also be armed with a top pick in next year’s draft, so there’s a chance the team adds another QB to the mix before the start of the 2025 season.

With Minshew being lost for the season, the Raiders will no longer have to make a decision following O’Connell’s activation. Minshew improved on his turnovers over his past four starts, with the veteran tossing five scores vs. two picks over that span. When the QB was knocked out of yesterday’s game, he was replaced by Desmond Ridder, who completed five of 10 passes while also taking a pair of sacks.

Considering the Raiders’ inconsistent play at the position in 2024, they’ve been mentioned as a natural suitor for Daniel Jones. While the team did indeed show some interest in the former Giants starter, the quarterback has “eliminated Las Vegas from consideration,” per Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report. Jones has received interest from “multiple” playoff squads and is interested in joining a contender.

Ben Levine contributed to this post.

Raiders To Sign QB Desmond Ridder

October 21st, 2024 at 8:32pm CST by Ben Levine

With Aidan O’Connell heading to IR, the Raiders are adding some quarterback depth. The team is signing Desmond Ridder off the Cardinals practice squad, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

Ridder was a fourth-round pick by the Falcons in 2022. The former Cincinnati star went 2-2 as a rookie after replacing Marcus Mariota as Atlanta’s QB1, and he spent the majority of last season as the team’s top quarterback. He ultimately started 17 games during his two-season stint in Atlanta, going 8-9 while completing 64 percent of his passes for 3,544 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He also added another five touchdowns on the ground.

The QB was briefly replaced by Taylor Heinicke during the 2023 season. While Ridder eventually returned to the starting lineup, it was clear he didn’t have a future in Atlanta. After the organization added Kirk Cousins via free agency this offseason, Ridder was dealt to the Cardinals for wideout Rondale Moore.

Ridder was competing to be Kyler Murray‘s backup in Arizona but ended up losing the competition to Clayton Tune. The third-year pro later landed on the Cardinals practice squad, where he’s spent the first two months of the season.

Now, he could have an opportunity to play in Las Vegas. O’Connell fractured his thumb during yesterday’s loss, leaving the Raiders with Gardner Minshew and undrafted rookie Carter Bradley as their only two QBs. Minshew, who leads the NFL with 10 turnovers, was replaced as the starter two weeks ago. While the former Jaguars standout will likely slide back to the top of the depth chart, there’s a good chance he’s on a short leash, perhaps opening the door for a Ridder cameo.

Raiders To Place QB Aidan O’Connell On IR

October 21st, 2024 at 9:46am CST by Adam La Rose

Aidan O’Connell‘s time as the Raiders’ starting quarterback in 2024 has proven to be short-lived. The broken thumb he suffered on Sunday will lead to an extended absence.

O’Connell is expected to miss four to six weeks, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The second-year passer will seek a second opinion on his diagnosis, he adds. Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network report, meanwhile, that O’Connell is headed to injured reserve.

As a result, the 26-year-old will miss at least the next four games. O’Connell began the year as Vegas’ backup, but veteran free agent addition Gardner Minshew did not live up to expectations. That led to the Raiders’ QB competition re-starting midway through the campaign, with O’Connell taking over in Week 6. He was unable to lead the team to a win in that contest, and he suffered the injury early in Vegas’ loss to the Rams yesterday.

The Raiders now sit at 2-5 on the year, adding further uncertainty to the team’s direction under center moving forward. O’Connell remains attached to his rookie contract through 2026, while Minshew was added on a two-year pact in the spring. The latter’s contract includes guarantees for 2025, but it would still come as no surprise if another pursuit of an upgrade at the position were to take place during the coming offseason. Vegas showed interest in a move up the draft order in April, specifically targeting a reunion between Jayden Daniels and head coach Antonio Pierce. That did not come to pass, as expected, creating the need for the Minshew-O’Connell competition during the summer.

Neither passer was particularly impressive before Minshew’s experience gave him a slight advantage. Despite being replaced, the journeyman will now find himself atop the depth chart for the foreseeable future. Minshew, 28, could stake his claim for the 2025 QB1 gig in Vegas with a strong showing over the coming weeks, although expectations have been lowered for a Raiders offense which no longer features All-Pro wideout Davante Adams. At a minimum, Minshew could increase his value in the eyes of potential offseason suitors.

Undrafted rookie Carter Bradley could be promoted from the practice squad in the wake of today’s news to give Vegas two healthy quarterbacks. If not, the team could be in the market for a temporary addition to serve as Minshew’s backup. As O’Connell turns his attention to recovery, his timeline should allow him to return later in the year.

Raiders QB Aidan O’Connell Suffers Broken Thumb

October 20th, 2024 at 6:31pm CST by Ely Allen

Aidan O’Connell‘s stint back as the starter in Las Vegas was a short one. In only his second start of the season, O’Connell left today’s game in Los Angeles with a hand injury. According to Ian Rapoport, preliminary tests seem to indicate that the second-year passer broke his thumb. He’ll undergo further testing tomorrow in order to determine the severity of the injury.

As a fourth-round rookie last year out of Purdue, O’Connell took over the starting job under center after Jimmy Garoppolo failed to establish himself as a successful starter. With Garoppolo benched, O’Connell started 10 games, including the final nine of the season, going 5-5 as a starter and throwing 12 touchdowns to seven interceptions.

In the offseason, Las Vegas signed Gardner Minshew after the young journeyman led the Colts to a 9-8 record in 2023. Minshew had stepped in as an injury replacement for a rookie Anthony Richardson and handled himself well managing the offense.

An offseason position battle ensued between O’Connell and Minshew with Minshew winning the job after the team’s first preseason game. With Minshew running the offense, the Raiders started 2-3. In a Week 5 matchup in Denver, Minshew threw two interceptions, officially giving him more picks than touchdowns, before hitting the bench in favor of O’Connell. Las Vegas announced that it would reopen its quarterback competition and settled on O’Connell as the starter for Week 6.

O’Connell was unable to come away with a win last week, but he put forth a decent effort, completing nearly 68 percent of his passes for 227 yards, one touchdown, and an interception. O’Connell was doing a decent job to start today’s game against the Rams before succumbing to injury, but he was only in for two drives before leaving the game. As an injury replacement for O’Connell Minshew struggled mightily. He completed fewer than 50 percent of his passes and threw three interceptions in a game that the defense kept well within reach.

The Raiders will hope that the tests tomorrow reveal a short-term injury, but a broken thumb on O’Connell’s throwing hand might not be a quick and easy recovery. Without another quarterback on the 53-man roster, it appears that Minshew will be the answer if O’Connell misses extended time. Las Vegas rosters rookie quarterback Carter Bradley out of South Alabama on the practice squad, but they may be shopping the market if O’Connell is ruled out for an extended period.

Aidan O’Connell Could Impact Possibility Of Davante Adams Trade?

October 13th, 2024 at 10:30pm CST by Rory Parks

In keeping with recent reports suggesting that the trade market for Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams could be cooling, ESPN’s Adam Schefter confirms that Adams may indeed remain with Las Vegas for the rest of the season. That is primarily because the club continues to push for a second-round pick plus additional compensation in an Adams trade, and it also wants the acquiring team to cover the entirety of Adams’ remaining 2024 base salary.

In addition to the Raiders’ demands – to say nothing of how the Jets’ firing of HC Robert Saleh and the multi-week injury to Saints QB Derek Carr might impact trade talks – a more unexpected factor could play a role in keeping Adams in Nevada. Per Schefter, the Raiders’ recent decision to bench quarterback Gardner Minshew in favor of second-year passer Aidan O’Connell could make Adams reconsider his desire to be traded.

Last year, Adams was frustrated when Las Vegas deployed Jimmy Garoppolo under center, and those frustrations dissipated when O’Connell emerged as the QB1 (a move that Adams endorsed and to which he tied his future with the Raiders). Sources tell Schefter that Adams believes O’Connell is one of the best signal-callers he has played with, and he is intrigued by the prospect of catching passes from the Purdue product once again.

That said, both Schefter and Dianna Russini of The Athletic (subscription required) report that the Jets, Saints, Steelers, and Bills continue to discuss a potential deal with the Raiders. Schefter adds that Pittsburgh brass was expected to continue those discussions in person yesterday, as the Steelers are in Las Vegas for their Week 6 game against the Raiders.

Additionally, Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda hears that an Adams trade could happen as early as next week, and that the Jets are the most aggressive suitor at the moment (last week, New Orleans was reportedly making the hardest push to land the soon-to-be 32-year-old). According to Pauline, the Saleh firing and the subsequent demotion of OC Nathaniel Hackett has not made Adams any less open to playing for Gang Green, but Pauline is in agreement with Schefter that O’Connell’s presence could scuttle trade talks.

Mark Davis is fond of Adams, who is said to have the owner’s ear. Pauline says it is certainly possible that, with O’Connell back in the starting lineup, Adams could ask Davis to break off discussions with rival clubs.

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, however, believes the reports indicating that the Raiders could keep Adams are being driven by the team itself in order to create leverage that it does not presently have. After all, regardless of whether Minshew or O’Donnell is at the helm, it is difficult to envision Las Vegas making a deep playoff run, and as a non-contender with a talented but aging player who is due a non-guaranteed $35.6MM base salary in 2025, the only logical move for the Raiders is to deal the decorated wideout.

Likewise, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports hears from multiple league sources that Las Vegas is merely bluffing. One source said, “feels a bit like Vegas is trying to put the toothpaste back in the tube to salvage Davante’s market. I think everyone knows their only play is to deal him.”

In Florio’s estimation, the Jets are the only club that truly wants Adams at the moment, and Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network hears that this could be a “Jets or bust” situation (video link). Garafolo adds that if New York should win its game against the Bills tomorrow night – which would move Gang Green into first place in the AFC East – the club may be more inclined to make a bold strike for their long-desired target (even though Jones, contrary to Pauline, says the Saleh firing has indeed made Adams a little more wary of going to the Jets).

Adams will be sidelined for today’s matchup with the Steelers due to a hamstring ailment. It will mark his third straight absence.

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