Geno Smith Injury and Return
Geno Smith faced criticism even after returning from a challenging moment during the game against the Denver Broncos on Thursday. The Las Vegas Raiders quarterback was sacked up to five times in the first half alone. He went down awkwardly after a tackle by Nik Bonitto, seeming to hurt his leg during an initially harmless scramble.
Medical Evaluation and Sideline Activity
Smith spent time in the medical tent before testing his knee on the sideline, lightly jogging as trainers assessed his condition. Despite the injury, he returned to the field to try and finish the game. At that point, the Raiders were trailing by three points.
Team Reaction and QB Changes
After Smith went out, Kenny Pickett took over as the quarterback. Pickett is currently the only fully healthy QB on the Raiders roster, with Cam Miller on the practice squad and Aidan O’Connell on injured reserve. During the game, Nik Bonitto, who made the tackle, did not react visibly to Smith's injury.
Social Media Criticism
- One user posted on X, formerly Twitter:
“Take Geno Smith out of the game, please.”
- Another pointed out that Smith leads the league with 12 interceptions this season.
Team Outlook and Performance
The Raiders took a risk signing Geno Smith in the offseason, hoping his experience would improve the offense. However, midway through the season, the expected results have not appeared as Smith has struggled with consistency. Before facing the Broncos, the Raiders’ record stood at 2-6.
Summary: Geno Smith’s injury highlighted ongoing challenges for the Raiders, with criticism mounting amid inconsistent performance and a struggling offense.