Alex Smith suffered a gruesome leg injury midway through the 2018 season but the Washington Redskins are hopeful he’ll play again.
It has been just over two months since Alex Smith suffered a graphic leg injury in the Washington Redskins Week 11 match against the Houston Texans. Midway through the third quarter, Smith was tackled in the backfield by Kareem Jackson. J.J. Watt came in to finish the sack, but Smith’s leg caught in the turf and bent in a disturbing angle. The 34-year-old quarterback was carted off the field and rushed into surgery. For many, it seemed like we were watching the end of his career.
But Washington Redskins President Bruce Allen is confident in Smith’s return. He spoke to the press following a practice session for the Reese’s Senior Bowl on Tuesday.
“If anyone can come back, it’s Alex,” Allen said, via NFL.com. “I’m sure he wanted to shoot hoops yesterday, but we’ll see.”
Allen is referring to Smith’s trip to Capital One Arena, where he watched the Washington Wizards face the Detroit Pistons. The basketball game marked his first public appearance since the injury, which caused him to spend a month in the hospital. He appeared with an apparatus on his leg and he used crutches to visit the team’s locker room after the game.
Allen did not confirm whether Smith needs more surgeries.
“I’m not going to get into that and I’m not a doctor,” Allen said. “He’s going to follow the doctor’s advice.”
When the Redskins acquired Smith, he only had one year left in his Kansas City Chiefs contract. Washington added four years and $71 million in guaranteed money. So, perhaps it makes sense that while it will be nearly impossible for Smith to start the 2019 season, the Redskins see him playing a role in the future.
Allen did not say whether Washington is looking to add another quarterback in the offseason. But Colt McCoy is the only quarterback currently on the 2019 roster, with Mark Sanchez and Josh Johnson both available as free agents.
“We prioritize every position on the team,” Allen said. “We’ll see what we get in free agency and the draft.”