Overview
- Coach Pete Carroll said Friday that Geno Smith will start at Houston and remain QB1 for the season barring injury after practicing all week following hand, shoulder and back issues.
- Las Vegas is 2-12 with an offense last in points (14.0) and yards (244.1), while Houston leads the NFL in scoring and total defense and ranks eighth in sacks with threats like Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr.
- Smith has been sacked a league-high 49 times, underscoring protection problems as the Raiders prepare for a defense with 38 sacks.
- In Smith’s Week 15 absence, Kenny Pickett threw for 64 yards and was sacked four times in a 31-0 loss at Philadelphia.
- The Raiders claimed defensive tackle Brodric Martin off waivers from Pittsburgh and waived defensive end Jahfari Harvey, as Texans coaches publicly lauded Smith’s arm talent and rookie RB Ashton Jeanty’s toughness.