It appears the Las Vegas Raiders will have Kenny Pickett at quarterback, not starter Geno Smith, Sunday at the Philadelphia Eagles.
NFL Media reported Wednesday morning that Smith was unlikely to play Sunday and Pickett would start. Smith departed Sunday’s loss to the Denver Broncos in the fourth quarter with a right shoulder injury. He also cut his hand in the game.
Later Wednesday, Las Vegas coach Pete Carroll told reporters that Smith would not practice Wednesday and he was “day-to-day.“ Sunday, Carroll indicated tests didn’t show any major damage to Smith’s shoulder. Monday, Carroll said Smith’s status for Sunday would depend on how sore he would be.
If Pickett does play, he would be making his first start for the Raiders since they traded a fifth-round draft pick to the Cleveland Browns for him in August. Pickett is 15-10 as a starter in his career.
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Pickett completed 8 of 11 passes for 7 yards and a touchdown while playing in garbage time Sunday against Denver.
Pickett, 27, was the Eagles’ backup during their Super Bowl-winning season last year and now may face them with the Raiders.
Wednesday has been a busy injury-news days overall for the Raiders.
Carroll said standout left tackle Kolton Miller will return to practice for the first time since Week 4 when he suffered a serious ankle injury. It will likely take Miller some time to get back in playing shape and work off the rust. Still, it seems like he will play again this season, barring a setback.
Also, tight end Michael Mayer is practicing Wednesday after missing the past two games with an ankle injury.
Also, rookie wide receiver Dont’e Thornton has passed through the concussion protocol after missing Sunday’s game. He will practice Thursday and should play Sunday.
Carroll said star pass-rusher Maxx Crosby has “a nagging concern” on is knee and will limited his practice time this week. He missed two days of practice alst week and still played. That may be the weekly approach down the stretch.
The Raiders will release an injury report later Wednesday and this post will be updated if needed.
