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Ryan McFaddenDec 11, 2025, 07:29 PM ET<\/p>\n
Close<\/a>Ryan McFadden covers the Las Vegas Raiders for ESPN’s NFL Nation. Prior to ESPN, McFadden was a Denver Broncos beat reporter for the Denver Post. McFadden also wrote about the Baltimore Ravens and University of Maryland athletics for The Baltimore Sun.<\/p>\n HENDERSON, Nev. — For a second straight day Thursday, Las Vegas Raiders<\/a> quarterback Geno Smith<\/a> did not practice due to right shoulder and back injuries, and sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that Kenny Pickett<\/a> is expected to start Sunday against his former team, the Philadelphia Eagles<\/a>.<\/p>\n Raiders coach Pete Carroll said Pickett has been receiving first-team reps with the idea that he will take Smith’s place. Aidan O’Connell<\/a>, who has been the team’s emergency third quarterback, would serve as the backup in Philadelphia.<\/p>\n On Wednesday, Carroll didn’t specify whether Smith’s injury would be long term, instead calling the 35-year-old quarterback “day to day.”<\/p>\n Editor’s Picks<\/p>\n 2 Related<\/p>\n Despite Smith’s inconsistent on-field production, Carroll added that health will be the main factor in deciding if he remains the starter.<\/p>\n “As a competitor, [Smith] wants to get back out there as soon as he possibly can. And he will,” Carroll said.<\/p>\n Smith injured his shoulder and suffered a cut on his right hand during the third quarter of the Raiders’ 24-17 loss to the Denver Broncos<\/a> last weekend. The shoulder injury forced him to go into the locker room at the end of the quarter, with Pickett playing the entire fourth. Pickett completed 8 of 11 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown.<\/p>\n The Raiders acquired Pickett from the Cleveland Browns<\/a> in August after O’Connell was placed on injured reserve because of a right wrist injury.<\/p>\n Pickett was drafted in the first round by the Steelers<\/a> in 2022 and spent his first two seasons in Pittsburgh before he was traded to the Eagles in March 2024. He is 15-10 as a starter.<\/p>\n