Raiders starting QB could miss Eagles game with shoulder injury

Raiders quarterback Geno Smith did not practice Wednesday because of a right shoulder injury, leaving his status for Sunday’s game at Philadelphia in serious doubt.

Veteran Kenny Pickett got the bulk of the first-team reps in Smith’s absence and is in line to start Sunday against the Eagles.

“We’re going to go day to day, like always, and see how it turns out at the end of the week,” Carroll said. “Kenny will take all the reps to get ready and get prepared for the event that he gets a chance.”

Smith was hurt during Sunday’s 24-17 loss to the Broncos at Allegiant Stadium. He left the game after the third quarter and didn’t return.

Sunday could be a reunion of sorts for Pickett, who spent last season in Philadelphia as the backup to Jalen Hurts.

Pickett played five games for the Eagles, including one start, and completed 25 of 42 passes for 291 yards and two touchdowns with one interception.

The Raiders (2-11) traded for Pickett in August after Aidan O’Connell suffered a wrist injury in the final preseason game. Pickett has appeared in three games, including in relief of Smith on Sunday, and has completed 10 of 14 passes for 105 yards and a touchdown.

Now he is in line to make his first start of the season.

“All you can ask for is an opportunity,” Pickett said. “Philly’s an unbelievable place to play. I know the fans will be ready to go. They have a hell of a team.”

Led two scoring drives

Pickett got that opportunity after Smith’s injury. He had a relatively clean performance that included a 25-yard touchdown throw to wide receiver Shedrick Jackson that Carroll termed “exquisite.”

Pickett played quite a bit of catch-up after the Raiders acquired him at the end of training camp, but he secured the backup job and kept it after O’Connell returned from injured reserve three weeks ago.

“I love the way he prepares and practices,” Carroll said of Pickett.

That carried over into Sunday’s game when Pickett smoothly ran the offense and led the Raiders on two scoring drives. He also displayed far more mobility than Smith, who has struggled managing pass-rush pressure.

“We’re trying to fight to get back into it a little bit,” Pickett said. “Glad we were able to find some success in it in a two-minute drill, getting into the end zone and getting a field go at the end.”

Carroll was impressed.

“We saw he did some really nice things, big plays, and escaped a little bit, got a little bit of running in,” he said. “If he gets the chance to go, that was a good lead-in for it.”

Having worked extensively against the Eagles’ defense in practice last season, Pickett has a good idea of what he would see Sunday against the defending Super Bowl champions.

“They got great coaches, great players, nothing but respect for all those guys over there,” he said. “It’s a huge challenge for us … just want to be as prepared as we can be.”

Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on X.