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

Geno Smith Injury Update

Geno Smith faced criticism even after returning from what was called a "dirty hit" during the Las Vegas Raiders' game against the Denver Broncos on Thursday. The Raiders’ quarterback took as many as five sacks in the first half and went down awkwardly after a tackle by Nik Bonitto, appearing to hurt his leg in what initially seemed like a routine scramble.

Injury and Return

Smith spent time in the medical tent before testing his knee on the sideline, performing light jogging as trainers examined him. Despite the injury, he returned to the game to try and finish it. At that point, the Raiders were trailing by only three points.

Nik Bonitto, who made the tackle that injured Smith, simply observed the situation without comment.

Quarterback Situation

With Smith injured, Kenny Pickett took over the quarterback position. He is currently the only fully healthy QB on the Raiders roster. Cam Miller remains on the practice squad, and Aidan O’Connell is still on injured reserve.

Fan Reactions and Team Performance

Smith faced backlash on social media for his perceived performance and injury. One user wrote,
“Take Geno Smith out of the game, please.”
Another comment pointed to Smith leading the league with 12 interceptions this season.

The Raiders invested in Smith this offseason hoping his experience would improve their offense. However, halfway through the season, consistency has eluded him, and the team held a 2-6 record entering the Broncos game.

Author’s Summary

Geno Smith’s injury and inconsistent play have intensified pressure on the Raiders’ offense amid a challenging season.

Hindustan Times — 2025-11-07