Geno Smith faced criticism after returning to play following a controversial tackle against the Denver Broncos on Thursday. The Las Vegas Raiders quarterback endured up to five sacks in the first half and went down awkwardly after a hit by Nik Bonitto, appearing to injure his leg during what seemed like a routine scramble.
Smith spent time in the medical tent as trainers assessed his condition. He tested his knee on the sideline and did light jogging before deciding to return to the game. At that moment, the Raiders were trailing by only three points.
After the hit, Bonitto simply observed without comment. With Smith unable to continue at some point, Kenny Pickett took over at quarterback. Pickett is currently the only fully healthy QB on the roster, as Cam Miller remains on the practice squad and Aidan O’Connell is on injured reserve.
“Take Geno Smith out of the game, please,” one fan wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Another noted that Smith leads the team with 12 interceptions this season.
The Raiders had high hopes for Smith's veteran leadership when they signed him in the offseason, aiming to bring stability to the offense. However, midway through the season, Smith has struggled to maintain consistency. The Raiders entered the game against the Broncos with a 2-6 record.
Geno Smith's injury and inconsistent play this season have drawn criticism amid the Raiders' ongoing struggles, highlighting the team's challenges at quarterback and on offense.