Yahoo Sports Alex Smith plays first game in 693 days in Washington's loss to Rams
After Washington Football Team starting quarterback Kyle Allen took a brutal helmet-to-helmet hit in the second quarter Sunday, he left the game and Alex Smith entered to take his first NFL snaps since his catastrophic leg injury in November 2018.
Smith’s family gave him a standing ovation.
Standing O from the Smith Fam 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/h6TTMSQRWu
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) October 11, 2020
Smith entered the game with Washington trailing 20-7, and the Los Angeles Rams ended up winning 30-10. Smith was 9-for-17 with 37 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions while being sacked six times. But by simply returning to play in an NFL game, he has to be considered one of the prime candidates for Comeback Player of the Year.
Smith was officially active for an NFL game Sunday for the first time since the injury 693 days ago. He was elevated to No. 2 on the depth chart this past week after Washington demoted starter Dwayne Haskins, the team’s first-round pick in 2019, to No. 3.
Haskins wasn’t at the stadium Sunday after being sent home with what’s been described as a stomach virus.
Allen, whom Washington traded for this offseason, was named this week’s starter. But Smith’s incredible comeback took center stage Sunday. His knee injury was so devastating that many thought it would be a career-ender.
Smith decided it wouldn’t be. It’s just a shame there weren’t any fans at FedEx Field to give Smith the rousing ovation he deserves.
Liz Roscher contributed to this story.
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