The Las Vegas Raiders are playing a tough divisional game against the Denver Broncos in Week 14 and may have to go the rest of the way with a backup quarterback under center.
Starting QB Geno Smith was initially listed as questionable to return in the third quarter due to a hand injury, but he returned without missing a play. Smith tried to remain in the game, but as the Raiders were driving, he left the field in the redzone. Backup quarterback Kenny Pickett replaced him, and Smith went to the locker room.
Here are the latest injury updates for Smith in Week 14 against the Broncos.
MORE: Updated AFC, NFC standings in Week 14
Geno Smith injury updates
Smith was ruled out for the game at the two-minute warning.
#Raiders ruled out Geno Smith (right shoulder) with two minutes left in the game.
— Ryan McFadden (@ryanmcfadden_) December 7, 2025
Smith suffered the injury when he was tackled after throwing the ball away. It was on third down, and so after the ensuing punt and then Denver's drive, the quarterback was able to return to the game.
Geno Smith injured his hand in the first half.
— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) December 7, 2025
What I don’t understand is: why do you keep him in? Clearly injured, eliminated from the playoffs. And Kenny Pickett is your backup 🤔 pic.twitter.com/KJCivI8D0v
Smith threw for 45 yards on the drive, but then when the quarter changed and they had the break between the third and fourth quarters, he left the game and opted for the locker room. Pickett came in and completed a two-yard pass and then had an incompletion for a turnover on downs. Smith was once again listed as questionable to return.
#DENvsLV Injury Update: QB Geno Smith (right shoulder), TE Ian Thomas (calf) are questionable
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 7, 2025
This section will be updated.
Raiders QB depth chart
| Position | Player |
| 1 | Geno Smith -- QUES |
| 2 | Kenny Pickett |
| 3 | Aidan O'Connell |
| 4 | Cam Miller - practice squad |
Las Vegas, despite being eliminated from play contention, seems content in rolling out Smith as their starting quarterback when he is healthy. Pickett, who was acquired by Las Vegas from Cleveland ahead of the 2025 season, is the backup.
O'Connell spent most of the season on injured reserve, but has since been activated. Still, he is active, but only as the emergency third quarterback for the Raiders, so would only come in if Pickett also gets hurt. Las Vegas has rookie quarterback Cam Miller sitting on the practice squad, and could look to get him some playing time down the stretch of the season for evaluation purposes.
Geno Smith stats
Week 14 vs. Broncos
- 21 pass attempts
- 13 completions
- 116 passing yards
- 1 passing TD
- 0 INTs
- 3 sacks
- 1 carry
- 4 rushing yards
2025 season
- 13 games
- 397 pass attempts
- 266 completions
- 2,648 passing yards
- 16 passing TDs
- 14 INTs
- 49 sacks
- 40 carries
- 108 yards
- 0 rushing TDs