After bacteria almost ate his leg and 17 operations, Washington’s quarterback Alex Smith gets the green light for his comeback. The team brings him into the squad.
In this case, I think the term medical miracle is appropriate.
Only 21 months after his horrible collapse, bacteria that nearly ate his leg and an incredible 17 operations, quarterback Alex Smith has been given the green light for his comeback.
Smith: Bacterial infection threatens his life
The now 36-year-old had suffered a complicated tibia and fibula fracture in November 2018 in the match between his then first-placed Washington Redskins and the Houston Texans.
After that there were complications and a bacterial infection that almost cost Smith his leg and even threatened his life. But the 2005 draft’s number 1 pick proved once again his almost proverbial mental strength and worked tirelessly in rehab for that moment.
Champagne shower from his wife
On Saturday, Smith received clearance from the doctors. Washington will take him from the so-called PUP list (“Physically unable to perform”) into the active squad. From Tuesday on, the former Redskins will train with the shoulder pads for the first time in the season preparation.
Smith’s wife Elizabeth posted on Instagram how he learned the good news and was showered with champagne by his family. To which she wrote, “hard work pays off.”
Last week, new head coach Ron Rivera was pleasantly surprised by Smith’s progress.
Haskins or Smith as starter?
This creates an interesting situation. The focus in Washington is actually on the young playmaker Dwayne Haskins, who was drafted in the first round last year and showed his great potential towards the end of the season.
The most likely scenario is that Smith will become a kind of mentor on the field for Haskins. Third quarterback Kyle Allen came in with Rivera from Carolina and is the backup because he knows the system from Offensive Coordinator Scott Turner.
Smith is under contract until 2022 and is extremely valuable as a leader after a mostly successful 13 years in the NFL. He is to remain with the team after his career, but can he really work his way up to starter again?
If anyone can do it, it’s Alex Smith.