HENDERSON, Nev. — Kenny Pickett will start at quarterback for the Raiders against his former team when Las Vegas visits Philadelphia on Sunday with Geno Smith out because of back and shoulder injuries.

Smith injured his right shoulder and hand in the third quarter of Sunday's 24-17 loss to Denver.

Coach Pete Carroll said Friday the main issue is his lower back, and he didn't want to subject Smith to a cross-country flight with the forecast calling for a high of 28 degrees and a chance of snow.

“It’s a lower back issue that he’s concerned about, and just doesn’t seem like it would behoove him moving forward,” Carroll said. "So we’re going to take care of him and not put him through that.”

Carroll said Smith has a good chance to return next week when the Raiders visit Houston.

Pickett p

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