Quarterback Geno Smith will return to the starting lineup for the Las Vegas Raiders after a one-game absence, coach Pete Carroll said Friday.
Smith missed last Sunday’s 31-0 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles due to shoulder and back injuries. He returns to face the Houston Texans, who feature the NFL’s top defense.
Smith sat out the final quarter of a 24-17 loss to the Denver Broncos on Dec. 7 due to the right shoulder injury and a cut on his throwing hand.
Kenny Pickett replaced Smith in the Denver contest and started against the Eagles. Things didn’t go well against Philadelphia as Las Vegas managed just 75 total yards and seven first downs. Pickett was 15-of-25 passing for 64 yards and one interception and he was sacked four times.
Smith has thrown for 2,648 yards, 16 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He also has been sacked 49 times in 13 games.
The Texans feature two of the best pass rushers in the NFL in defensive ends Danielle Hunter (12 sacks) and Will Anderson Jr. (10.5). Houston leads the league in scoring defense (16.3 points per game) and total defense (269.2 yards per game) and also has intercepted 16 passes.
The Raiders (2-12) have lost eight straight games while Houston (9-5) has won six in a row.
