Raiders QB Kenny Pickett could start with Geno Smith hurting
Thu Dec 11 4:34pm ET
Field Level Media
Kenny Pickett inched closer to starting Sunday's game for the Raiders on Thursday, the second day in a row without Geno Smith on the practice field.
Smith is nursing a right shoulder injury and did not practice Wednesday or Thursday, ceding first-team snaps in practice to Pickett, who replaced Smith after he was hurt in a 24-17 home loss to the Denver Broncos last Sunday.
Smith was injured during the third quarter. Pickett entered the game in the fourth quarter and threw a TD pass, going 8 of 11 for 97 yards.
Raiders coach Pete Carroll described Smith's injury as a "jammed" throwing shoulder. Imaging of the shoulder showed no structural damage, Carroll said.
The Raiders (2-11) acquired Pickett, 27, from the Browns after training camp was completed in August. Cleveland acquired Pickett from the Eagles, where he was the backup to Jalen Hurts for the Super Bowl champions last season. But the Browns didn't have a need at the position after drafting two quarterbacks in a span of 50 picks -- Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round, Dillon Gabriel in the third -- and signing Joe Flacco in free agency.
With the Raiders, Pickett is 10 of 14 for 105 yards and one touchdown in three games as a reserve this season.
"He came in with some good energy. He was able to put some points on the board -- just execution," Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty said of Pickett. "He practices well. Whether he goes or not (Sunday), I know he'll work hard and be ready."
Pickett has completed 481 of 769 passes (62.5%) for 4,870 yards, 16 TDs and 14 picks in 33 games (25 starts) for the Pittsburgh Steelers (2022-23), Eagles (2024) and Raiders. He is 15-10 as a starter.
The Steelers selected him 20th overall in the 2022 draft out of the University of Pittsburgh.
The Raiders have lost seven straight games heading into Sunday against the Eagles (8-5).
Smith, 35, has passed for 2,648 yards and 16 touchdowns and is tied for the NFL lead with 14 interceptions. He is in his first season with the Raiders after being acquired from the Seattle Seahawks in the offseason.
The two-time Pro Bowl selection (2022, 2023) and 2022 NFL Comeback Player of the Year, Smith has thrown for 21,791 yards, 121 touchdowns and 86 interceptions in 12 seasons for the New York Jets (2013-16), New York Giants (2017), Los Angeles Chargers (2018), Seahawks (2020-24) and Raiders.
The Jets selected him in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft out of West Virginia University.
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The Paur Report
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (ankle) was added to the Week 15 injury report and was a limited participant in Thursday's practice due to an ankle injury. Bateman has had an underwhelming season and hasn't been very involved in Baltimore's offense lately. The 26-year-old wideout has just one game with more than two receptions this season, which came back in Week 3 versus the Detroit Lions, when he hauled in five of seven targets for 63 yards and one of his two touchdowns on the year. Bateman appeared on the injury report last week with an ankle issue as well, but he registered two full practices and played on Sunday against the Steelers. Bateman will profile as a low-upside, deep-league flex option if he's active in Week 15 against the Cincinnati Bengals, who he went catchless against two weeks ago on Thanksgiving night.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus (hamstring) was limited in Thursday's practice for the second straight day this week with a hamstring injury that he picked up in the Week 14 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Zaccheaus' status is worth monitoring this week because of the fact that Rome Odunze (foot) is dealing with a stress fracture in his foot that caused him to miss last week's game. With Odunze out, the 28-year-old Zaccheaus played 79% of the snaps and caught two passes on three targets for seven yards and his second touchdown of the year. Even if Odunze misses another game, Zaccheaus will be more of a touchdown-dependent WR5/flex in deeper fantasy leagues. He has 37 receptions on the year for 280 yards in 13 games. Fantasy managers are better off rolling with rookie receiver Luther Burden III as a flex play if Odunze sits out again this weekend against the Browns.
From RotoBaller
Updating a previous report, Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson (non-injury) fully participated in practice Thursday, Dec. 11.
Fantasy Spin: Jackson is coming off one of his better games of the season but still has not thrown more than one touchdown in any of his last five games. He will be facing a struggling Cincinnati Bengals defense this week and can be a low-end No. 1 quarterback in leagues.
From TheHuddle
Baltimore Ravens TE Mark Andrews (glute) and WR Rashod Bateman (ankle) were limited during practice Thursday, Dec. 11. CB Chidobe Awuzie (shoulder), QB Lamar Jackson (non-injury), RB Keaton Mitchell (knee), LB Tavius Robinson (foot), S Ar'Darius Washington (Achilles) and CB Nate Wiggins (foot) fully participated in practice.
From TheHuddle
Baltimore Ravens TE Mark Andrews (glute) was limited during practice Thursday, Dec. 11.
Fantasy Spin: Fantasy players should keep an eye on the situation to see if Andrews is in any danger of missing the game. He has been inconsistent with his production recently but has been targeted at least five times in four of his last five games. He will have a favorable matchup if he plays and can be a low-end No. 1 tight end in leagues.
From TheHuddle
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington (hip) was listed as limited in Thursday's practice for the second straight day this week. Washington suffered a hip injury in Week 13 and did not play in last week's win over the Indianapolis Colts. The 23-year-old will probably need to upgrade to a full practice on Friday to avoid either a questionable tag or being ruled out entirely for the second straight week when the team faces the visiting New York Jets this Sunday. Now that Brian Thomas Jr. is back from a sprained ankle, Washington profiles as Jacksonville's WR3. When he returns, he'll also have to contend with tight end Brenton Strange, who has been a big part of the passing attack since coming off Injured Reserve. If Washington is back in Week 15, fantasy managers should have better WR4/flex options. Competition for targets will be stiff for Washington, and they are in a matchup that probably won't force them to throw the ball all that often.
From RotoBaller
Washington Commanders WR Noah Brown (groin, knee) fully participated in practice Thursday, Dec. 11.
Fantasy Spin: Brown returned to the lineup last week after a lengthy absence but was not much of an option during the game. He will probably see a few targets during the game but can be avoided in fantasy leagues.
From TheHuddle
Washington Commanders CB Jonathan Jones (rib) and LB Bobby Wagner (knee) did not participate in practice Thursday, Dec. 11. QB Jayden Daniels (elbow), DE Drake Jackson (groin, knee) and RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. (groin) were limited during practice. WR Noah Brown (groin, knee) and OT George Fant (knee) fully participated in practice.
From TheHuddle
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (Achilles) stayed limited in practice on Thursday. It's the second straight day this week that Addison has had his reps capped due to an Achilles injury, so the 23-year-old might need a full practice on Friday to avoid a questionable designation going into the Sunday night showdown against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 15. The former 23rd overall pick in 2023 out of USC went over 50 receiving yards in last week's blowout win over the Washington Commanders for the first time since Oct. 19, catching four of his seven targets for 62 yards. Addison has been highly inconsistent with a low floor in a Vikings offense that has really struggled this year under second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy. However, he has some upside potential as a WR3/flex in Week 15 (if he plays) against a Cowboys defense allowing a league-high 255.2 passing yards per game.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets QB Justin Fields (knee), LB Francisco Mauigoa (neck), TE Mason Taylor (neck), QB Tyrod Taylor (groin) and CB Azareye'h Thomas (shoulder) did not participate in practice Thursday, Dec. 11. RB Breece Hall (knee), DT Harrison Phillips (non-injury), TE Stone Smartt (concussion) and LB Quincy Williams (hand) were limited during practice. S Tony Adams (groin), QB Brady Cook (ankle), LB Cam Jones (hip) and DE Jermaine Johnson (non-injury) fully participated in practice.
From TheHuddle
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (shin) upgraded to a limited practice participant on Thursday. Hockenson was unable to practice on Wednesday due to a shin injury, so it's a step in the right direction for the 28-year-old to be able to play on Sunday night against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 15. If Hockenson were unable to play this weekend, Josh Oliver, who scored twice in last week's blowout win over the Washington Commanders, would be more attractive as a deep-league TE streamer. Hockenson caught his third touchdown of the season in Week 14, but it came on only two receptions for 12 yards on three targets. He's been pretty hard to trust as a fantasy option in 2025 with second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy struggling and missing plenty of time due to injuries. Hockenson has gone over 50 receiving yards just once in 13 games this year, making him a low-end TE2 in fantasy if he plays against Dallas.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews (glute) was added to the Week 15 injury report on Thursday and was listed as a limited practice participant due to a glute injury. Andrews is coming off a disappointing one-catch performance in Sunday's loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, and now the 30-year-old is dealing with an injury going into a big Week 15 divisional battle against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. Not only is it concerning that he was a mid-week addition to the injury report, but fellow TE Isaiah Likely has been more productive than Andrews in each of the last two games as he gains steam to close out the 2025 regular season. Even though Likely has taken on a bigger role of late, Andrews will be in play as a low-end TE1 in fantasy football this weekend if he's active against a Bengals defense that has been shredded by opposing tight ends this year. Andrews had four catches for 47 yards on Thanksgiving against Cincy.
From RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. (shoulder) was limited in practice on Thursday for the second straight day this week. Jones suffered a shoulder injury in Week 9 and has been on the injury report ever since, but he continues to serve as the Vikings' primary RB. The 31-year-old could be cleared from the Week 15 injury report entirely if he can upgrade to a full showing on Friday. In the last five contests, Jones has 67 touches to Jordan Mason's 37. He saw 14 carries (second-most this year) for 76 yards in last week's 31-0 rout of the Washington Commanders. Jones should be good to go for this Sunday night's game on the road against the Dallas Cowboys. It's a good matchup, as Dallas has allowed the sixth-most half-PPR fantasy points to opposing RBs per game in 2025. Jones should be on the RB2/3 borderline for fantasy managers this week.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (concussion) practiced in full on Thursday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Schefter reports that the star wideout is "on track" to play in Dallas' Week 15 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday Night Football. Lamb was forced to exit the Cowboys' Week 14 loss to the Detroit Lions early after suffering a concussion. However, that game was last Thursday night, giving Lamb a few extra days to recover before Sunday. Across 10 games this season, the 26-year-old has hauled in 57 receptions for 865 yards and three touchdowns on 89 targets. He's earned at least eight targets in every game but one this season and recorded at least 74 receiving yards in every game but two. Barring a setback, Lamb profiles as a must-start fantasy wide receiver in Week 15 against Minnesota.
From RotoBaller
ESPN's Stephen Holder says that his time in the Indianapolis Colts' building this week has left him "more convinced" that 44-year-old Philip Rivers will be the team's starting quarterback for Week 15 against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. Holder adds that it's pretty clear that Indy is prepping Rivers to start after he came out of retirement this week to join the team. Rookie Riley Leonard (knee) has practiced in full for two straight days despite suffering a sprained PCL in Sunday's loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, but it looks like he'll be the backup to Rivers if he's active this weekend. Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending torn Achilles tendon in Week 14, putting the Colts in this situation. Rivers is an eight-time Pro Bowler, but he has not played an NFL game since 2020. Consider him a desperation QB option in superflex leagues in a very difficult matchup on the road in Seattle.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins TE Darren Waller (non-injury) was officially limited during practice Thursday, Dec. 11.
Fantasy Spin: Waller has played in two games since returning from injury but only has 60 yards in those games. He will likely see a few targets this week but can be avoided in most leagues.
From TheHuddle
Miami Dolphins CB Elijah Campbell (ankle, knee) and LB Caleb Johnson (shoulder) did not participate in practice Thursday, Dec. 11. RB De'Von Achane (ribs), LS Joe Cardona (hamstring), CB Rasul Douglas (foot), S Ifeatu Melifonwu (groin, thumb), OG Andrew Meyer (triceps), LB Chop Robinson (oblique) and TE Darren Waller (non-injury) were limited during practice. CB Ethan Bonner (knee), C Aaron X. Brewer (ankle) and OG Jonah Savaiinaea (knee) fully participated in practice.
From TheHuddle
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (shoulder, back) missed practice for the second straight day on Thursday, per ESPN's Ryan McFadden. Smith was forced to exit early from the Raiders' Week 14 loss to the Denver Broncos due to shoulder and back injuries and appears to be trending towards missing the team's Week 15 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. The 35-year-old has struggled mightily in his first season in Las Vegas, throwing for 2,648 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions across 13 starts. Kenny Pickett took over under center after Smith left against the Broncos and played well, completing eight of 11 pass attempts for 97 yards and a touchdown. Still, Pickett will be tough for fantasy managers to trust if forced into action in Week 15 against Philadelphia, even in two-quarterback formats.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys TE Jake Ferguson (calf) and OT Tyler Guyton (ankle) did not participate in practice Thursday, Dec. 11. DE Jadeveon Clowney (hamstring), CB Trevon Diggs (knee) and CB Shavon Revel Jr. (knee) were limited during practice. OT Hakeem Adeniji (knee), S Malik Hooker (non-injury), WR CeeDee Lamb (concussion), FB Hunter Luepke (hip) and S Donovan Wilson (knee) fully participated in practice.
From TheHuddle
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Riley Leonard (knee) practiced in full for the second straight day on Thursday. Leonard is reportedly batting a low-grade PCL sprain in his knee, but his ability to fully participate in practice could mean he's trending towards being active for Indianapolis' Week 15 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. With Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (Achilles) done for the season after tearing his Achilles tendon, the team made waves by bringing 44-year-old Philip Rivers out of retirement earlier this week. It's unclear at this point whether the team is planning to start Rivers or Leonard in Week 15, regardless of Leonard's health status. Either way, fantasy managers would likely be wise to avoid whoever is playing quarterback for the Colts in a tough matchup against Seattle.
From RotoBaller
