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

Geno Smith Injury Update

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith faced criticism after returning to the game following a controversial hit against the Denver Broncos on Thursday. Smith endured up to five sacks in the first half before going down awkwardly after a tackle by Nik Bonitto, which seemed to cause a leg injury during a scramble.

Injury Details and Return

Smith spent time being evaluated in the medical tent, then tested his knee on the sideline with light jogging. Despite the injury, he chose to return to the field as the Raiders were trailing by only three points at that moment.

Nik Bonitto's Reaction and Quarterback Changes

After the hit, Bonitto watched the situation quietly. With Smith sidelined, Kenny Pickett took over as 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.

Social Media Backlash

Some fans expressed frustration on X (formerly Twitter), with one user urging,
“Take Geno Smith out of the game, please.”
Others highlighted that Smith has thrown 12 interceptions this season, the most among Raiders players.

Season Performance

The Raiders took a chance on veteran Geno Smith this offseason, hoping his experience would stabilize their offense. However, halfway through the season, Smith's performance has been inconsistent, and the team held a 2-6 record entering the game against the Broncos.

Author's summary: Geno Smith returned from a questionable injury but faced heavy criticism amid inconsistent play, while the Raiders continue to struggle midway through the season.

Hindustan Times — 2025-11-07