When the Las Vegas Raiders went through a flurry of activity in the 2025 offseason, it seemed like a promise of new beginnings. However, through the first nine weeks of the year, it unfortunately felt like more of the same for an organization that had been despondent for the last decade.
With a 2-6 record, it seemed clear that their year was over before it truly began, as the combination of Pete Carroll as the head coach and Geno Smith as the quarterback did not yield great results. However, in Week 10, the situation may have gotten worse, with the latter leaving the game at the start of the fourth quarter.
What Happened to Geno Smith?
Having one of the worst years of his career since he permanently took over the starting job, a porous offensive line caused the former Seattle Seahawk to be on the receiving end of multiple hits every week.
Those blows were continuing to pile up. But against the league’s best defense, the situation turned grim after he took a knee right to his thigh. Immediately crumbling in pain, he was able to walk off the field on his own.
But he had to be taken to the medical tent as soon as he made it to the sideline. Kenny Pickett took over as the Raiders’ quarterback after Smith’s injury. However, he was only out there for a few snaps, which included one passing attempt, before QB1 came back into the game.
Unfortunately, with the thigh still bothering him, it was clear to see that his mobility was compromised, and any hits, even after the pass, were taking a toll on him. With the lead in Denver’s favor at 10-7, the Raiders still had a chance to get back into the game.
Take Geno Smith out of the game, please. pic.twitter.com/LkCLHL3pTy
— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) November 7, 2025
However, as he continued limping after every play, it was becoming a painful sight to witness. As the drive for the team came to an end without any more points on the board, Smith went back to the sideline and sat on the cycle, trying to get the blood flowing in his legs.
Ranked 18th on PFSN’s QB Impact, Smith’s raw numbers were somehow even worse, as he compiled 1,701 yards coming into the game. However, what made his numbers truly bad were the 11 touchdowns to 11 interceptions.
Unfortunately, prior to the injury, the game against the Broncos wasn’t going much better for the veteran quarterback. Completing 16 of his 26 passing attempts, he had 143 passing yards in the game.
But, he couldn’t manage a single touchdown, instead recording an interception in a close three-point game.