Geno Smith Avoids Major Injury, Raiders Eye Week 15 Return
The Raiders may have dodged a major bullet with Geno Smith.
After exiting Sunday’s loss to the Broncos in the third quarter, early tests revealed that the veteran quarterback avoided serious damage to his throwing shoulder - a huge sigh of relief for a Las Vegas team still trying to find its rhythm down the stretch.
Head coach Pete Carroll didn’t mince words when asked about Smith’s status for Week 15: if Geno’s healthy, he’s the guy.
“I’m going to do what I think is the right thing to do, and if Geno can play, that’s my thought,” Carroll said. “I’m rooting for Geno to get back out there and see how he does. But we’re not going to play him if he’s not right, so Kenny will be ready to go.”
Smith’s night against Denver was a rollercoaster. He initially left the game with a cut on his throwing hand, returned, and then went down again with the shoulder issue that ultimately ended his day. While the injury isn’t considered serious, it’s clear the Raiders won’t be rushing him back unless he’s truly ready - a smart move given how much they’ve invested in him.
And that investment? It’s no small thing.
Smith, now 35, has had one of the more resilient careers in recent memory. Drafted in the second round by the Jets back in 2013, he’s taken the long road to becoming a franchise quarterback.
After bouncing between the Giants and Chargers, he landed in Seattle in 2019. It wasn’t until 2022 that he finally got his shot as a full-time starter - and he made the most of it.
That breakout earned him a three-year, $105 million extension with the Seahawks in 2023. But after two seasons, Seattle shipped him to Las Vegas for a third-round pick, and the Raiders doubled down, giving him a fresh two-year, $75 million extension.
So far in 2025, Smith has started 13 games for the Silver and Black, completing 67 percent of his passes for 2,648 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. It’s been an up-and-down year statistically, but Smith has brought veteran leadership and stability to a team that’s been searching for both.
Now, with the season entering its final stretch, the Raiders are hoping their starter can make it back in time to lead the charge. If not, Kenny Pickett will be on deck - but make no mistake, this is still Geno’s team if he’s healthy enough to take the reins.
The Raiders' playoff hopes may still be alive, but they hinge on more than just health - they need consistency, execution, and a little bit of that Geno magic we've seen in flashes this season.