Elevate your local knowledge

Sign up for the iNFOnews newsletter today!

Select Region

Selecting your primary region ensures you get the stories that matter to you first.

Geno Smith returns to start for Raiders against Texans’ top-ranked defense

Geno Smith returns to start for Raiders against Texans' top-ranked defense | iNFOnews.ca
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) passes against the Denver Broncos during the first half of an NFL football game in Las Vegas, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Candice Ward)

HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — Quarterback Geno Smith will start for the Las Vegas Raiders when they visit Houston on Sunday.

He did not play in last Sunday’s 31-0 loss at Philadelphia because of back and shoulder injuries, but practiced all week. Kenny Pickett got the start against the Eagles, but passed for only 64 yards and was sacked four times.

Coach Pete Carroll confirmed that Smith not only will start against the Texans, but will be the quarterback — barring injury — to finish the season.

Smith and the Raiders face the daunting test of facing a defense that leads the NFL in points allowed (16.3 per game) and yards (269.2). Las Vegas’ offense is last in the league in averaging 14 points and 244.1 yards per game.

The Texans are eighth with 38 sacks, and Smith has been sacked a league-high 49 times.

Houston (9-5) takes a six-game winning stream into this game, and the Raiders (2-12) are on an eight-game slide.

Also, the Raiders claimed defensive tackle Brodric Martin off waivers from Pittsburgh. He played in one game for the Steelers and spent the first 10 weeks on Kansas City’s practice squad.

The Raiders waived defensive end Jahfari Harvey in a corresponding move.

___

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

The Associated Press

Mark Anderson

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

Related Articles