Geno Smith injury update: Raiders QB faces flak after ‘dirty hit’ vs Broncos; Nik Bonitto reacts

Geno Smith Injury Update

Geno Smith, quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders, faced criticism even after returning to play following a controversial hit against the Denver Broncos on Thursday. During the first half, Smith endured up to five sacks before going down awkwardly due to a tackle by Nik Bonitto, which appeared to injure his leg despite initially seeming like a minor scramble.

Injury and Return

Smith spent some time in the medical tent and later tested his knee on the sideline, lightly jogging as trainers assessed him. Despite the injury, he returned to the field to complete the game while the Raiders were trailing by just three points.

Bonitto's Reaction and Quarterback Changes

After the hit, Bonitto showed no visible reaction to Smith's injury. Following Smith’s exit, Kenny Pickett took over as quarterback. Pickett is currently the only fully healthy QB on the Raiders' roster, with Cam Miller on the practice squad and Aidan O’Connell on injured reserve.

Public and Team Performance

Smith faced backlash on social media, with one user urging,

“Take Geno Smith out of the game, please.”

Another pointed out that Smith leads the league with 12 interceptions this season.

The Raiders' offseason hope was that Smith’s veteran experience would bring stability to the offense. However, at 2-6 entering the Broncos game, that hope has yet to materialize as Smith struggles with consistency.

Summary: Geno Smith’s injury and inconsistent performance have intensified criticism as he fights to lead a struggling Raiders offense amid a challenging season.

Hindustan Times — 2025-11-07