Geno Smith Injury Update and Fallout
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith faced criticism after returning to play following a controversial hit against the Denver Broncos on Thursday. Smith endured up to five sacks in the first half before going down awkwardly after a tackle by Nik Bonitto, which seemed minor at first but resulted in a leg injury.
After being attended to in the medical tent, Smith tested his knee on the sidelines with light jogging while trainers assessed his condition. Despite the injury, he ultimately returned to attempt to finish the game. When he left the field, the Raiders were trailing by only three points.
Reactions and Team Situation
Nik Bonitto, the player responsible for the hit, watched Smith's injury but did not react publicly. With Smith sidelined, Kenny Pickett took over at quarterback. Pickett is currently the only fully healthy quarterback on the Raiders' roster, as Cam Miller remains on the practice squad and Aidan O’Connell is on injured reserve.
Social Media Response
- One user on X (formerly Twitter) urged, “Take Geno Smith out of the game, please.”
- Another pointed out that Smith leads the league with 12 interceptions this season.
Season Performance and Team Outlook
The Raiders invested in Geno Smith during the offseason hoping his experience would bring stability to the offense. However, halfway through the season, that expectation remains unmet as Smith has struggled with inconsistency. Entering the game against the Broncos, the Raiders held a disappointing 2-6 record.
“Take Geno Smith out of the game, please.”
“The Raiders QB has thrown the most interceptions this season, at 12.”
Author's summary: Geno Smith's injury and inconsistent performance have intensified scrutiny, as the Raiders struggle midway through a challenging season.