Eagles Prepare for Potential Showdown with Kenny Pickett
As the Philadelphia Eagles gear up for a crucial matchup against the struggling 2-11 Las Vegas Raiders, they may find themselves facing a familiar face under center. Kenny Pickett, once a backup to Jalen Hurts during the Eagles’ Super Bowl LIX run, is set to take the reins as the Raiders’ starting quarterback this Sunday, contingent upon the health of veteran Geno Smith.
Geno Smith’s Injury Concerns
Smith is currently nursing a shoulder injury sustained during the Raiders’ recent defeat to the Denver Broncos. The situation is precarious; he missed practice on Wednesday, leaving his availability for the game in question. “He’s not practicing today,” Raiders head coach Peter Carroll confirmed. “We’re going to go day-to-day like always and see how it turns out at the end of the week.”
The uncertainty surrounding Smith’s status has thrust Pickett into the spotlight. The young quarterback took all the first-team reps during practice, preparing for a potential start. “Kenny will take all the reps to get ready and get prepared in the event that he gets a chance to play,” Carroll noted.
Kenny Pickett’s Transition to Starter
Pickett’s experience as a backup last season for the Eagles included one start and five appearances, where he completed 25 of 42 passes for 291 yards, tossing two touchdowns and one interception. This season, his playing time has been limited, but he made an impact last week against the Broncos. Coming in for the injured Smith, Pickett completed 8 of 11 passes for 97 yards, including a 25-yard touchdown connection with Shedrick Jackson.
Carroll praised Pickett’s preparation and performance, stating, “I love the way he prepares and practices. He looked very good in the game the other night. We saw he did some really nice things, big plays, and escaped a little bit, got a little bit of running in. All of that looked really good. So, if he gets the chance to go, that was a good lead-in for it.”
Highlighting the Connection with Shedrick Jackson
The highlight of Pickett’s performance was a stunning touchdown pass to Jackson, which Carroll described as “exquisite.” He elaborated, “Yeah, it was perfect. The play was a perfect play, and the ball was ripped, split the safety, and the ball was right on the money, and Shedrick looked like he’d been there his whole life. It was a really great play.”
With the Eagles looking to snap their three-game losing streak, the stakes are high as they prepare for a game that could see them face off against Pickett, a player they know well from last season’s success. The outcome of this matchup may hinge not only on the Eagles’ performance but also on the health and readiness of the Raiders’ quarterback situation.
