Raiders’ Maxx Crosby expected to play Sunday against Broncos

Despite Maxx Crosby missing the last two days of practice dealing with a knee injury, the Raiders are hopeful their star defensive end will play Sunday against the Broncos.

“Maxx is gonna play. I can’t imagine him not playing,” Raiders coach Pete Carroll said Friday after the Raiders (2-10) wrapped up preparations for Sunday’s game.

As far as Crosby sitting out the last two days of practice, Carroll said it was move made out of precaution.

“We really wanted to maximize the rest opportunity,” Carroll said. “But he’s planning on playing.”

Tight end, wide receiver out

While the Raiders are hopeful about Crosby, they have ruled out tight end Michael Mayer and wide receiver Dont’e Thornton.

Mayer will miss his second straight game with an ankle injury, and Thornton is in concussion protocol after taking a hit last week against the Chargers.

Mayer’s loss is particularly big.

“He’s an important player to us. He does a lot of things for us,” said Carroll. “A lot of unique things we like doing with him, and count on him, special teams as well.

“He’s got a real role there. So we’re gonna miss Mike not going. Hopefully, we’ll get him back next week.”

QB focused on present

Raiders quarterback Geno Smith is under contract through the 2027 season, but with the way things have gone for him and the team this year, it’s fair to wonder what his immediate future holds.

After the Raiders traded for Smith during the offseason, they gave him a two-year contract extension worth $85.5 million, of which $58.5 million was fully guaranteed. That includes the $40 million he is making this season, and $18.5 million of his $26.5 million salary for next year.

The plan all along was for Smith to be the bridge quarterback until the Raiders selected their quarterback of the future. Ideally, Smith would hand things off to that prospect at some point during or after the 2026 season.

Based on his play this season — he’s tied for the league high with 14 interceptions, and his quarterback rating is 30.9 — there is no guarantee he returns.

If the Raiders move on from Smith, the Raiders would still have to pay him the $18.5 million portion of his 2026 salary, but they would save $8 million, Smith is not focused on any of that, though.

“I focus on the day-to-day and getting better every single day as a player,” Smith said. “That’s all you can do as an NFL player.

“You can never look too far ahead or even too far behind.”

As far as what is ahead, Smith isn’t too concerned.

“The whole your future thing, I got a bright future,” he said. “I know that for sure.

“But as far as what I have to do here is lead this team and focus on. … how we can execute and get better to prepare ourselves to go up against a tough team on Sunday.”

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