The Las Vegas Raiders have announced that Kenny Pickett will start at quarterback against the Philadelphia Eagles this weekend. This decision comes after Geno Smith was unable to practice this week due to injuries sustained in last week’s game against the Denver Broncos. Coach Pete Carroll confirmed the news on Friday, December 15, 2023.
Smith suffered injuries to his shoulder and hand during the recent match, which led to his unavailability for the upcoming game. “Geno won’t make it back,” Carroll stated. “He tried, but couldn’t get it done in this amount of time.” This development marks a significant moment for the Raiders as they navigate the final stretch of the NFL Week 15 season.
In his remarks, Carroll emphasized the importance of readiness among backup quarterbacks. He noted, “The expectation I’ve held for backup quarterbacks in the past is that they’ve got to be on it every day. They need the mentality that the very next play, they may be in there.”
Pickett has shown promise during his preparation, which has led to this opportunity. Carroll praised him, saying, “Kenny’s done everything we could ask of him. He had an excellent week. He’s in command of what we’re doing, communications are good and all that.”
The Raiders are gearing up for a crucial matchup against the Eagles, and the coaching staff is optimistic about Pickett’s ability to lead the team. Carroll added, “Got a little East Coast in him, so that won’t hurt. We’ll support him in every way that we can to have a good game.”
As the Raiders prepare for this pivotal game, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how Pickett performs under pressure and how the team adjusts to the loss of their starting quarterback. The matchup promises to be an exciting contest as both teams vie for playoff positioning.
