Who Should I Start? Geno Smith or Jarrett Stidham

Monday, December 8, 6:48 PM

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll said that he didn't have an update on Monday on quarterback Geno Smith's right-shoulder injury that he suffered in the second half of Sunday's loss to the Denver Broncos, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. "I won't know for a couple of days," Carroll said. Smith injured his fingers and shoulder in Week 14, but it was his right-shoulder injury that knocked him out of the game in the second half, and he never returned. The 35-year-old apparently avoided serious damage to his throwing shoulder, but the lack of an update suggests Smith's availability for Week 15 against the Philadelphia Eagles is up in the air. At this point, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the struggling Raiders give backup Kenny Pickett his first start of the year against his former team. Smith has been a bust in his first year in Vegas, completing 67% of his passes for 2,648 yards and 16 touchdowns. He leads the league in interceptions (16) and sacks taken (49).

Sunday, August 17, 11:27 AM

Denver Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham got the start in the team's second preseason game on Saturday against the visiting Arizona Cardinals and looked amazing, going 16-for-23 passing for 240 yards and two touchdowns in the 27-7 victory. Starter Bo Nix got this game off, so Stidham saw most of the action under center before giving way to Sam Ehlinger late. Rookie receiver Pat Bryant was one of Stidham's favorite targets, as he hooked up with him four times for 70 yards. Second-year pass-catcher Troy Franklin was his other favorite target, and both of his TDs went to the Oregon product. The 29-year-old Stidham signed a two-year, $12 million contract with Denver back in March to return as Nix's backup in 2025 and beyond. Based on the way Stidham looked on Saturday, Denver's offense could still be decent this year if Nix misses time with injury.