Raiders QB Geno Smith back as starter vs. Texans

Quarterback Geno Smith will return to the starting lineup for the Las Vegas Raiders after a one-game absence, coach Pete Carroll said Friday.

Smith missed last Sunday's 31-0 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles due to shoulder and back injuries. He returns to face the Houston Texans, who feature the NFL's top defense.

Smith sat out the final quarter of a 24-17 loss to the Denver Broncos on Dec. 7 due to the right shoulder injury and a cut on his throwing hand.

Kenny Pickett replaced Smith in the Denver contest and started against the Eagles. Things didn't go well against Philadelphia as Las Vegas managed just 75 total yards and seven first downs. Pickett was 15-of-25 passing for 64 yards and one interception and he was sacked four times.

Smith has thrown for 2,648 yards, 16 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He also has been sacked 49 times in 13 games.

The Texans feature two of the best pass rushers in the NFL in defensive ends Danielle Hunter (12 sacks) and Will Anderson Jr. (10.5). Houston leads the league in scoring defense (16.3 points per game) and total defense (269.2 yards per game) and also has intercepted 16 passes.

The Raiders (2-12) have lost eight straight games while Houston (9-5) has won six in a row.

--Field Level Media

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December 19, 2025

Raiders QB Geno Smith back as starter vs. Texans

Quarterback Geno Smith will return to the starting lineup for the Las Vegas Raiders after a one-game absence, coach Pe...

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Black box recovered from Greg Biffle plane crash, NTSB says

The aircraft'sblack boxhas been recovered, but the investigation into what caused aNorth Carolina plane crashthat killed a NASCAR legend and six other people this week will be lengthy, according to new details released in the case on Friday, Dec. 19.

According to information from family and federal authorities, seven people died in the Cessna C550 jet crash that took place a little more than 24 hours earlier and claimed the life of former race car driverGreg Biffleand six others.

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) member Michael Graham during a media briefing Friday afternoon confirmed all seven on board the aircraft, including the pilot, died in the 10:15 a.m. ET fiery crash Thursday, Dec. 18, at the Statesville Regional Airport.

"On behalf of the NTSB, I want to express our most sincere condolences to the families and loved ones that lost their lives," Graham said.

A preliminary report on what caused the crash is expected within 30 days, Graham said, but the final report could take up to a year while investigators continue to interview witnesses, review audio recordings and more.

"This is the beginning of a very long process. We will not jump to conclusions...nor will we speculate," Graham told reporters.

Here's more about the Thursday, Dec. 18, fatal crash including where it happened, who was killed and new details released in the case.

NASCAR icons honor Greg Biffle:'Impact reached far beyond racing'

Where did the plane crash happen?

The crash took place around 10:15 a.m. local time while the pilot attempted to land at the airport in Iredell County, about 40 miles north of Charlotte, according tolocal officialsand the Federal Aviation Administration.

NTSB senior accident investigator Dan Baker said the jet took off from runway 2A and was in the air 10 minutes before it crashed.

Five minutes after takeoff, Baker reported, the plane made a left turn to the west followed by another left turn to the east before it hit the ground. The jet also struck a set of trees and a runway fence before coming to rest.

The debris field, officials said, spanned about 1800 feet from the approach end of the runway.

See highlights from Greg Biffle's NASCAR career

Who piloted the plane that crashed with Greg Biffle on it?

The plane that crashed was manufactured in 1981, Graham said, and could be flown with a single pilot or a crew.

As of Friday, investigators said they had not been able to determine who piloted the aircraft before it crashed.

Graham said three people on board were licensed to fly.

Two decades in NASCAR racing:Greg Biffle's career highlights

Was the black box recovered from the plane Greg Biffle was on?

Graham said teams recovered one of the black boxes from the plane.

When asked whether aircraft controllers or anyone else reported getting a distress call from the aircraft before it crashed, Graham responded, "We are not aware there was a mayday call."

Who died in the plane crash?

Here's who died in the plane that crashed at the regional airport.

Family identified the victims asBiffle, his wife Cristina Biffle, their 5-year-old son Ryder, and Greg's daughter Emma, 14.

Others on the plane were identified as Dennis Dutton, his son Jack, and Craig Wadsworth.

"We are devastated by the loss of our loved ones. This tragedy has left all of our families heartbroken beyond words," thefamilies said in a statement.

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Where was Greg Biffle's plane headed?

The plane was bound for Florida but attempted to return to the Statesville Regional Airport soon after takeoff insevere weather, according to FlightAware, which tracks flight paths and previous USA TODAY reporting.

The aircraft wasregistered to a company tied to Biffle.

What caused the plane crash that killed Greg Biffle?

The cause of the plane crash remained under investigation on Friday by the NTSB with assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration.

Anyone who saw the plane crash, particularly those with video of the jet's approach to the airport after it turned around midair, is asked to contact NTSB via email at witness@ntsb.gov.

Contributing:Dinah Voyles Pulver, Amanda Lee MyersandThao Nguyen.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Greg Biffle plane crash investigation recovers black box, NTSB says

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December 19, 2025

Black box recovered from Greg Biffle plane crash, NTSB says

The aircraft'sblack boxhas been recovered, but the investigation into what caused aNorth Carolina plane crashthat kil...

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Kings' Domantas Sabonis to miss another month with knee injury

SACRAMENTO,Calif. (AP) — Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis will miss another month with an injury to his left knee.

Sabonis has been out since suffering a partial tear to the meniscus in his left knee on Nov. 16. The Kings said Friday that Sabonis will be evaluated again in about four or five weeks.

The Kings have struggled all season and are near the bottom of the standings in the Western Conference with a 6-21 record.

Sabonis was averaging 17.2 points and 12.3 rebounds per game in 11 contests this season before getting hurt. Sabonis led the league in rebounding the past three seasons.

Sabonis' absence has given an opportunity to second-round rookie Maxime Raynaud, who is averaging 9.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per game since Sabonis got hurt. Raynaud is averaging 16.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game in his last eight games.

AP NBA:https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

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December 19, 2025

Kings' Domantas Sabonis to miss another month with knee injury

SACRAMENTO,Calif. (AP) — Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis will miss another month with an injury to his left knee...

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NFL fines Rams' Puka Nacua $25,000 for comments about officiating

The NFL fined Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua $25,000 for his comments about officiating,according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.

Before Thursday's overtime defeat against the Seattle Seahawks, Nacua made comments about the officiating on a live stream with streamer Adin Ross.

"The refs are the worst," Nacua said. "You don't think [a ref] is texting his friends in the group chat, like, 'Yo, you guys just saw me on 'Sunday Night Football'? That wasn't PI, but I called it.' ... These guys are human beings, too."

Two minutes afterThursday's 38-37 overtime loss to the Seahawks,Nacua went to social media to voice his frustrations.

"Can you say I was wrong. Appreciate you stripes for your contribution. Lol" Nacua wrote.

Nacua quickly deleted the post and apologized for his actions when talking to reporters after the game.

"It was just a lack of awareness," Nacua said. "Just frustration."

Nacua also faced backlash after an antisemitic gesture that he made on Ross' stream. Nacuaapologized and said he was unaware of what the gesture meant.

When asked about Nacua's comments, head coach Sean McVay said he was unaware and declined to directly address the tweet. He also defended Nacua by calling him "a great kid that's continuing to learn about the platform he has."

McVay was alsofrustrated with the officiating Thursday, particularly over a controversial 2-point conversion in the second half.

"I've never quite seen anything like what happened on the 2-point conversion, where you're lined up to kickoff, then they say it's a fumble because you have a clear and obvious recovery," McVay said. "Now, you tack it on, make it a 30-30 game. Very interesting. Didn't get clear explanation of everything that went on just because of the timing of it.

"Never been a part of anything like that, and I've grown up around this game. I'm not making excuses ... but we do want clarity and an understanding of the things that we can do minimize that when we rejected the 2-point conversion."

Nacua's comments came after a 12-catch, 225-receiving-yard, two-touchdown performance on 16 targets against the Seahawks. Nacua has recorded 573 receiving yards over the past three weeks. He leads the NFL with 114 receptions and is second in receiving yards with 1,592. He has eight receiving touchdowns on the season.

After Thursday's loss,the Rams are second in the NFC West at 11-4.

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December 19, 2025

NFL fines Rams' Puka Nacua $25,000 for comments about officiating

The NFL fined Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua $25,000 for his comments about officiating,according to NFL Netwo...

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Jets WR Garrett Wilson to miss final three games

New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson is out for the final three games of the regular season and will not return from injured reserve.

"We felt like it was best for him and the team," head coach Aaron Glenn said on Friday.

Wilson was placed on IR on Nov. 13 after re-injuring his right knee. He previously missed two games in the 2025 regular season with the same injury.

The 25-year-old Wilson, the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2022, was leading the Jets in targets (59), receptions (36), receiving yards (395) and touchdown catches (four) when he first hit injured reserve after starting seven games in 2025. Before the injury, Wilson had played in all 57 games since being drafted 10th overall in 2022.

New York hasn't figured out the quarterback position, and Jets QB1 Justin Fields was far more inconsistent after Wilson was hurt. Tyrod Taylor became the starter after Fields was benched. Taylor was injured against the Miami Dolphins on Dec. 7, and the Jets turned the keys of the offense over to undrafted rookie Brady Cook.

He has been sacked nine times and throw one touchdown pass with five interceptions, compiling a passer rating of 44.3. Cook entered off the bench in the loss to the Dolphins and made his first career start against the Jacksonville Jaguars last week.

When a post-mortem on the team's offensive struggles is conducted, the loss of initial starting wide receivers Wilson and Josh Reynolds (placed on IR with a hip injury) is a consideration.

Combined, the Jets' trio of QBs have 14 TD passes. There are 23 NFL quarterbacks, including former Jets Joe Flacco and Geno Smith, who have at least 15 TD passes this season.

Two receivers acquired via trades, John Metchie III and Adonai Mitchell -- added at the trade deadline from the Colts in the Sauce Gardner deal -- are helping keep the offense afloat. Metchie and Mitchell both have two TD catches since joining the Jets in November.

The Jets earlier this week released Allen Lazard, who had been a healthy scratch and caught 10 passes this season before being let go.

--Field Level Media

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December 19, 2025

Jets WR Garrett Wilson to miss final three games

New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson is out for the final three games of the regular season and will not return ...

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Trail Blazers outlast Kings 134-133 in overtime on Avdija's late free throws

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Deni Avdija made two free throws with 1.5 seconds left in overtime for the last of his 35 points, and the Portland Trail Blazers outlasted the Sacramento Kings 134-133 on Thursday night to open a home-and-home set.

The teams will meet again Saturday night in Sacramento.

DeMar DeRozan hit a jumper with four seconds left to give the Kings a 133-132 lead. With no timeouts, Portland raced down the court and Avdija was fouled by Russell Westbrook. DeRozan's 3-pointer with eight seconds left forced overtime, completing a 17-2 run in the final 2:28 of regulation.

DeRozan led Sacramento with 33 points, with 22 of the points coming in the fourth quarter and overtime. He was 3 of 4 from 3-point range, 10 of 16 overall from the field and made all 10 of his free throws.

Avdija was 12 for 19 from the field and made 10 of 12 free throws. The shooting guard also had five assists and five turnovers.

Shaedon Sharpe added 26 points for Portland, hitting 4 of 6 3-pointers. Jerami Grant scored 20 points, Donovan Clingan had 19 and Toumani Camara 17.

Maxime Raynaud added a career-high 29 points for Sacramento. Westbrook had 20 points and 10 assists. He was 8 of 11 from the field.

AP NBA:https://apnews.com/hub/nba

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December 19, 2025

Trail Blazers outlast Kings 134-133 in overtime on Avdija's late free throws

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Deni Avdija made two free throws with 1.5 seconds left in overtime for the last of his 35 points, a...

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LeBron James cites 'Luka magic' as Doncic has 45-point triple-double

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — LeBron James was in awe of "Luka magic" after Luka Doncic had 45 points, 14 assists and 11 rebounds in his fifth triple-double of the season ina 143-135 win over the Utah Jazzon Thursday night.

"That's Luka. Luka magic! It's no surprise. He's just so damn good, it's ridiculous," said James, who had 28 points and 10 assists for the Lakers.

Doncic had his first 40-point triple-double as a Laker since arriving last season became the second player to have a 45-point triple double with five steals since the NBA began keeping track of steals. Cade Cunningham was first.

But the statistic that made Doncic smile the most in the postgame press conference was his single turnover.

"One turnover is the best thing on this stat sheet. We have seven turnovers, which is impressive for us, and we won the game," Doncic said.

The Lakers led by 12 in the fourth quarter but the Jazz cut it to 134-130 before Doncic found Jaxson Hayes for his final assist and the cushion the Lakers needed to clinch the win.

He had a running conversation with a Jazz fan courtside and yelled, "Sit down" and "How are you doing now?" after Hayes threw down emphatic dunk off Doncic's lob.

Despite constant traps and doubles from the Jazz, Doncic had 10 points in the fourth as the Lakers outscored the Jazz 41-29.

For more than two decades, James has been accustomed to being the playmaker and the focus of his team's offense. Now Doncic is the point, the trigger of the offensive attack, especially in crunch time.

The Lakers improved to 10-0 this season in crunch time with Doncic at the controls.

"It's pretty awesome to be 10-0 in the clutch, and 12-3 on the road too, which is not easy," Doncic said.

Marcus Smart was the recipient of two Doncic assists for 3-pointers during a fourth-quarter surge as the Jazz tried to double and trap Doncic.

Many of the Lakers — including Smart and Doncic who got technical fouls — were frustrated with the tightly-called game but Luka's composure when it mattered most impressed Smart.

"It was big-time for us. He stayed in there mentally. I know he was very frustrated, but he kept his composure, held it together and did what he does best. He controlled his team and helped us come up with this victory," Smart said.

The Lakers were missing Austin Reaves and Deandre Ayton to injury but Doncic made sure that would not be an excuse.

"There are stretches of excellence but there are stretches where he's not as engaged and isn't executing our stuff defensive … but he played certainly well enough to lead us to a win. He and LeBron had 28 assists and three turnovers," Los Angeles coach JJ Redick said.

Doncic agreed.

"Honestly, I could do some more," Doncic said, despite his historic night.

AP NBA:https://www.apnews.com/NBA

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December 19, 2025

LeBron James cites 'Luka magic' as Doncic has 45-point triple-double

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — LeBron James was in awe of "Luka magic" after Luka Doncic had 45 points, 14 assists and 1...

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