Geno Smith injury update: Raiders QB suffers thigh bruise in loss to Broncos in Week 10

The Las Vegas Raiders' first season with Geno Smith hasn't all gone according to plan, but the veteran has been attempting to right the ship in recent weeks.

In Week 9, Smith led the Raiders' efforts in a narrow loss to the Jaguars in overtime, connecting with star tight end Brock Bowers for three touchdowns. As Smith has played his best, Las Vegas has become more dangerous. However, in a Week 10 game against the Denver Broncos, Smith had to be pulled due to an apparent injury.

In the fourth quarter of a "Thursday Night Football" matchup, Smith remained on the ground in some pain after being tackled, then went to the blue medical tent. He returned to the game, but was in noticeable pain and limping around. 

Here's the latest on Smith after Thursday's injury exit, and the 10-7 loss to the Broncos. 

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Geno Smith injury update

Smith was approaching 100 passing yards in a defensive battle on Thursday night, with the Broncos leading the Raiders 10-7 in the fourth quarter. On a first down to open a fourth-quarter drive, Smith was scrambling a bit, then tackled by Denver's Nik Bonitto after being struck around his right knee.

Smith remained on the ground after taking another hit from a Broncos defender. He was able to walk to the sideline, and backup quarterback Kenny Pickett came in. While Smith was in the medical tent, Pickett handed the ball off and had an incompletion to bring up four down and a punt. 

By the time the Raiders got the ball back, Smith had grabbed his helmet and was back on the sideline waiting to go in. He likely should have stayed out as he continued to take hits from the defense, and was noticeably grimacing and limping. Smith started the drive hitting Tre Tucker for a 25-yard gain, and then later found Tyler Lockett for a 19-yard pick up. 

He was sacked on third and eight and looked like he got crunched. When Smith went to the sideline, he tried to ride the workout bike to get loose but ended up just grimacing in more pain. 

After the Raiders forced an interception, Smith hobbled back onto the field. You could tell he was hurt because with little time remaining in the quarter, the Las Vegas offense kept the ball on the ground with rookie running back Ashton Jeanty. The last time that Smith was forced to attempt a pass, he scrambled to the right and missed his receiver. He was shoved by the defender and ran forward, visibly in a ton of pain. 

Smith went and sat on the bench as Daniel Carlson missed a 48-yard field goal wide right and the Broncos ran out the clock to mercifully end it for Smith. The quarterback was shown limping in the tunnel following the loss.

Geno Smith not moving well after this one. Pic.twitter.com/GCvc6lV182

— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) November 7, 2025

After the game, head coach Pete Carroll said that Smith was diagnosed with a thigh contusion, a.k.a. A thigh bruise. The way that the quarterback was moving and the pain that he was in, it sure seemed that he was dealing with a more serious injury, and one that could've involved his knee, but we will have to go with the head coach's diagnosis for now. You can hear Carroll talk about the injury here starting at about the 1:00 minute mark. 

Raiders coach Pete Carroll says QB Geno Smith suffered a thigh bruise. “He got smacked.” Does not sound concerned about Smith’s availability for next week.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 7, 2025

As to why Smith kept going out onto the field despite being hurt, he said in his postgame press conference, "That’s how I’m wired. I never wanted to leave my teammates out there. I feel it’s a big responsibility of mine to be out there and do whatever I can to help.” 

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