The season has quickly fallen apart for the Las Vegas Raiders. After adding Geno Smith to the roster and hiring Pete Carroll as the head coach, hopes were high for the franchise to finally turn things around. However, a 2-7 record through Week 10 is hardly what anyone could have anticipated.
Things may have taken a turn for the worse in their game against the Denver Broncos. Facing them in a Thursday Night Football clash in Week 10, a knee to the quadriceps immediately hobbled Smith as he went to the medical tent. While he was able to finish the game, his status for Week 11 remains a question mark.
Will Geno Smith Play Against the Cowboys?
A Week 1 dominance over the New England Patriots gave hope that the new season could play out differently for the Raiders. However, it has all gone downhill since.
Behind a lackluster defense and a porous offensive line, the team hasn’t been able to sustain any momentum. Additionally, Smith has been far from perfect, recording 1,844 yards, 11 touchdowns against 12 interceptions, while ranking 24th on PFSN’s QB Impact.
With any hopes of a competitive season virtually over, the focus has to be on Smith’s health. Officially diagnosed as a quad contusion, he will remain a question mark for Week 11.
But thanks to the gap between a TNF game in Week 10 and an upcoming Monday Night Football game, Smith should get some additional time to heal. And, things are already progressing in the right direction for the two-time Pro Bowler.
As Carroll said to the team’s official website, “[Geno Smith] was out there today. He feels pretty good.” Against a Dallas Cowboys team that has been a boon for every opposing quarterback, the game could serve as a launching pad for Smith to find his footing again.
After giving him a two-year, $75 million extension on top of the one year remaining on his existing deal, he is likely going to be with Vegas for the foreseeable future. As a result, for the long-term health of the offensive unit, getting some reps against an exploitable defense might be the best-case scenario for this team moving forward.
With Jakobi Meyers being moved at the trade deadline, that should also open up more opportunities for last year’s rookie standout, Brock Bowers, who hasn’t been able to build a steady connection with his new quarterback, especially after missing three games this season with a knee injury.
