Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith won’t practice Wednesday because of a right shoulder injury and is unlikely to start on Sunday against the host Philadelphia Eagles, NFL Network reported.
Kenny Pickett, who replaced Smith after he was hurt in a 24-17 home loss to the Denver Broncos last Sunday, is reportedly in line to start against his former team.
Smith was injured during the third quarter and later gave way to Pickett at the start of the fourth quarter.
Raiders coach Pete Carroll was concerned afterward but said on Sunday that initial tests “didn’t show any damage” to Smith’s passing shoulder.
“It’s just kind of jammed up right now,” Carroll said. “The early indications that they were able to get didn’t show any damage. His shoulder’s really locked up. So, we’ll see what that means.”
Smith completed 13 of 21 passes for 116 yards and one touchdown before exiting. Pickett finished 8-of-11 passing for 97 yards and a touchdown.
Carroll said on Tuesday that Pickett has “looked terrific in practice.”
“He runs around well. He moves well. He throws the ball on the move well, which he did in the game,” Carroll said. “He scrambled for a first down, I believe. I think he might have missed his first three (pass attempts) and hit seven or eight in a row. He came on really strong and finished on a good note.”
Pickett, 27, is in his first season with Las Vegas. He was acquired from the Cleveland Browns in late August.
He is 10 of 14 for 105 yards and one touchdown in three games as a reserve this season.
Pickett has completed 481 of 769 passes (62.5%) for 4,870 yards, 16 TDs and 14 picks in 33 games (25 starts) for the Pittsburgh Steelers (2022-23), Eagles (2024) and Raiders. He is 15-10 as a starter.
The Steelers selected him 20th overall in the 2022 draft out of the University of Pittsburgh.
The Raiders (2-11) have lost seven straight games heading into Sunday against the Eagles (8-5).
Smith, 35, has passed for 2,648 yards and 16 touchdowns and is tied for the NFL lead with 14 interceptions. He is in his first season with the Raiders after being acquired from the Seattle Seahawks in the offseason.
The two-time Pro Bowl selection (2022, 2023) and 2022 NFL Comeback Player of the Year, Smith has thrown for 21,791 yards, 121 touchdowns and 86 interceptions in 12 seasons for the New York Jets (2013-16), New York Giants (2017), Los Angeles Chargers (2018), Seahawks (2020-24) and Raiders.
The Jets selected him in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft.
