Raiders to start Kenny Pickett at QB vs. Eagles with Geno Smith out due to shoulder injury

The woeful Las Vegas Raiders offense will without its quarterback for Week 15 as Geno Smith will be inactive due to a shoulder injury he suffered in last week's 24-17 loss to the Denver Broncos, coach Pete Carroll said Friday. With Smith out, Kenny Pickett will start against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. Pickett was the backup to Jalen Hurts for the Eagles last season when they won the Super Bowl. 

"He's (Pickett) done everything we could ask of him," Carroll said Friday. "He had an excellent week. He's in command of what we're doing. Communications are good and all that. Got a little East Coast in him, so that won't hurt."

Smith departed from the Week 14 loss after a hit to his shoulder at the end of the third quarter. Carroll said after the game that his shoulder "locked up" and that tests did not reveal any structural damage. Smith was 13 for 21 for 116 yards and a touchdown when he headed to the locker room. Pickett entered in relief and completed eight of 11 passes for 97 yards and a score of his own.

Despite Pickett's effectiveness in the fourth quarter and Smith's season-long struggles, Carroll said after the Denver loss that he intends to start Smith moving forward if he is available. Carroll said Friday there's a strong chance Smith will be healthy in time for Week 16. 

Raiders vs. Eagles prediction: Las Vegas battles, but Philadelphia bounces back to end losing streak

Bryan DeArdo

Smith's arrival in Las Vegas ahead of the 2025 season was a source of optimism, as his familiarity with Carroll and his promising young supporting cast indicated the potential for a strong debut campaign with his new team. Instead, this year has been a disastrous one for the NFL's lowest-scoring offense.

Only six teams passed for fewer yards through Week 14, and Smith's 14 interceptions are the most of any quarterback. The result is a 2-11 record which places the Raiders at the bottom of the AFC standings.

With Pickett stepping into the starting lineup against the Eagles, it will be his fourth appearance and first start of the year. Pickett spent 2024 in Philadelphia and started one game -- a 41-7 win over the Dallas Cowboys. The former first-round pick opened his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers but did not catch on as a starter with any of his three teams and has 16 career touchdowns to 14 interceptions.