Geno Smith Injury Update After Controversial Hit
Geno Smith faced criticism after a “dirty hit” during the Las Vegas Raiders' game against the Denver Broncos on Thursday. The Raiders quarterback, who endured up to five sacks in the first half, was hurt after an awkward tackle by Nik Bonitto. Smith appeared to injure his leg during what seemed to be a routine scramble.
On-Field Incident and Medical Evaluation
Following the tackle, Smith went to the medical tent for treatment. He tested his knee on the sideline, performing light jogging while trainers assessed his condition. Despite the injury, he returned to the game as the Raiders were trailing by three points at that moment.
Reactions and Team Impact
Nik Bonitto, involved in the hit, did not publicly react to Smith's injury. With Smith sidelined later, Kenny Pickett replaced him as the quarterback. Pickett is currently the only fully healthy QB on the Raiders roster. Cam Miller remains on the practice squad, and Aidan O’Connell is on injured reserve.
Social Media Backlash
“Take Geno Smith out of the game, please,” one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Another pointed out that Smith has thrown 12 interceptions this season, the most on the team.
Season Performance and Team Outlook
The Raiders took a risk signing Geno Smith in the offseason, hoping his experience would strengthen the offense. However, halfway through the season, Smith has struggled to perform consistently. The Raiders held a 2-6 record before facing the Broncos.
Summary
Geno Smith’s injury and ongoing performance struggles highlight the Raiders' difficult season and challenges at quarterback.