Who Should I Start? Geno Smith or Brett Rypien

Wednesday, December 31, 3:41 PM

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll said that quarterback Geno Smith (ankle) will not play on Sunday against the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs in the Week 18 regular-season finale, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. "I hate closing the door on any opportunity, but it's going to be really hard for him," Carroll said. Smith suffered a serious ankle injury in the Week 17 loss to the New York Giants and won't suit up for a meaningless contest to close out the regular season. With the 35-year-old veteran wrapping up a brutal first year in the desert, backup Kenny Pickett is expected to start this weekend. Aidan O'Connell could also end up splitting time with Pickett against KC. Smith was one of the worst starting QBs in football in 2025, completing 67.4% of his 448 pass attempts for 3,205 yards, 19 touchdowns, and a league-leading 17 interceptions in 15 starts.

Wednesday, December 10, 11:12 AM

The Indianapolis Colts have signed quarterback Brett Rypien to the active 53-man roster from the practice squad, according to the team's official website. Rypien joined the Colts' practice squad in Week 7 after third-year quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. (eye) was placed on Injured Reserve. The 29-year-old signal-caller was in line to be the Colts' starter after Daniel Jones (Achilles) suffered a season-ending torn Achilles and rookie Riley Leonard (knee) suffered a Grade 1 PCL sprain in Week 14. However, the Colts signed 44-year-old Philip Rivers out of retirement on Tuesday, and he is expected to start for the Colts as soon as this Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks. Rypien will likely serve as a backup behind Rivers or Leonard (if he is healthy enough to play in Week 15). If the journeyman signal-caller does wind up starting, Rypien would only be worth fantasy consideration in deep superflex and two-QB leagues.