ALEX SMITH NEWS

Claims backup role Smith will serve as Washington's No. 2 quarterback behind Kyle Allen versus the Rams on Sunday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Impact Following Washington's decision to demote 2019 first-round pick Dwayne Haskins to the No. 3 role, Smith moves up the depth chart and into the top backup gig. Smith hasn't yet returned to the field since suffering a brutal leg injury two years ago, but it looks as though he'll be active Week 5 and could even see the field if Allen were to struggle or suffer an injury.

OCTOBER 7, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Sidelined again Smith (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's contest at Arizona, Rhiannon Walker of The Athletic reports.

Impact Until Smith progresses to working in full pads at practice, he won't be a candidate to usurp Kyle Allen for backup duties to Washington's starting quarterback Dwayne Haskins.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Held out Sunday Smith (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Eagles.

Impact The decision doesn't come as a surprise as Smith hasn't progressed to 11-on-11 work in full pads at practice. Until he does, he's likely to be among Washington's inactives while Kyle Allen handles backup duties behind starter Dwayne Haskins. Smith will continue his lengthy journey from a brutal right leg injury suffered back in 2018.

SEPTEMBER 13, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Not on first injury report of season Smith (leg) wasn't listed on the Washington Football Team's injury report Wednesday.

Impact Washington activated Smith from the PUP list on Aug. 16, but by the end of training camp he had yet to take part in full-padded, 11-on-11 drills. Still, with no listing on the first injury report of the season, he has a chance to be on the game-day roster Sunday against the Eagles. If Smith ultimately is ruled inactive, though, Kyle Allen will serve as the backup QB to Dwayne Haskins.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Makes regular-season roster Smith (leg) will begin the 2020 season on Washington's active roster, John Keim of ESPN reports.

Impact Smith did not log any reps in full-padded 11-on-11 drills during training camp, so Washington looks in line to roll with him as the No. 3 quarterback behind starter Dwayne Haskins and backup Kyle Allen. Even if he's ultimately inactive on game days, it's a notable feat for Smith to make the team two years after a career-threatening leg injury.

SEPTEMBER 5, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Held out of full-team practice Smith (leg) didn't participate in Sunday's 11-on-11 practice, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Smith took part in an 11-on-11 practice Saturday, but it was one where players weren't in pads. He still hasn't been cleared for full-team, contact work, with the team preferring a cautious approach this summer. All signs point to Dwayne Haskins getting the start Week 1 against Philadelphia, while it's less clear whether Smith or Kyle Allen will serve as the backup.

AUGUST 30, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Participates in 11-on-11 Smith participated in Saturday's 11-on-11 drills although the practice did not require pads, Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic reports.

Impact It's a great sign for Smith, who actually flashed a bit of mobility in the 11-on-11 drills, scrambling for a couple of yards on a broken play. Dwayne Haskins continues to lead the first unit while Kyle Allen and Smith alternate with the second unit. Expect Smith to slowly continue to press onward in the competition for the backup role.

AUGUST 29, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Limited to 7-on-7s Smith hasn't been cleared for 11-on-11 drills, JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington reports.

Impact Activated from the PUP list two days prior, Smith reportedly looked good in 7-on-7 drills at Tuesday's practice, working second through the rotation after Dwayne Haskins. It was again Haskins who led things off in full-team work, with Kyle Allen the second man up while Smith was limited to observer status. There's still time for Smith or Allen to make a push for the starting job, but the No. 2 role is probably a more realistic goal for the 36-year-old, considering he's had 17 surgeries on his right leg over the past two years.

AUGUST 18, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Alex Smith Returns to Practice

Alex Smith has taken another massive step toward a remarkable comeback with the Washington Football Team.

AUGUST 16, 2020 • FOX SPORTS

Brought off PUP list Washington activated Smith (lower leg) from the PUP list Sunday, Kyle Stackpole of the team's official site reports.

Impact After undergoing 17 surgeries to address the gruesome leg injury he suffered in November 2018, Smith has finally received clearance to return to football activities. Per Julie Donaldson of Washington's official site, Smith will be limited to individual drills initially before the coaching and training staffs determine whether he's fit for full-contact practices. Even if Smith's surgically repaired right leg responds well to workouts, the 36-year-old is still expected to begin the 2020 season in a backup role behind projected starter Dwayne Haskins.

AUGUST 16, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared for football activity Smith (leg) was cleared for football activity Saturday, JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington reports.

Impact It's a remarkable moment for the 36-year-old, who was at risk of having his right leg amputated following a severe injury late in the 2018 season. He's reportedly been impressing in workouts and has a chance to compete for the team's starting quarterback job. Whether or not Washington truly wants to give opportunities to a player of Smith's age rather than handing things over to presumed quarterback of the future, Dwayne Haskins, remains to be seen, but the clearance is nevertheless a momentous step in Smith's journey back to the field. He'll be activated off the PUP list Sunday, Ben Standig of The Athletic reports.

AUGUST 15, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Could compete for starting job? Coach Ron Rivera believes Smith (leg) could enter the Washington Football Team's quarterback competition, Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic reports. "If Alex is healthy and continues...

Impact The idea of Smith playing in 2020 has largely been described as a long shot, but Rivera seems to be treating it as a real possibility, and recent reports suggest the 36-year-old has looked good during on-field workouts. The veteran quarterback missed all of last year while rehabbing from a severe injury, one that nearly caused him to lose his right leg. Most discussion of the Washington QB spot has pegged Dwayne Haskins as a strong favorite for the starting job, but with Kyle Allen having a chance to make his push during training camp. It now seems Smith could enter the mix if he's removed from the PUP list within the next week or two.

AUGUST 10, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Looks good during workouts Smith (leg) recently impressed during four straight days of on-field workouts with Washington's training staff, JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington reports.

Impact Smith was medically cleared by Washington's surgical staff early last week, but his subsequent placement on the PUP list meant he can't practice. No matter, he clearly has been able to get in some on-field work as he continues his recovery from a gruesome leg injury and ensuing bouts with infection. There's no telling when (or if) Smith will make it all the way back, but he seems to be putting himself in a position to return to the regular-season roster. In the meantime, quarterback will be manned by some combination of 2019 first-round pick Dwayne Haskins and Kyle Allen in the nation's capital.

AUGUST 2, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Gets PUP designation Smith (leg) was placed on the PUP list Monday morning, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Players on the PUP list aren't eligible to practice but can be removed from the list at any time before the start of the regular season. Any player who remains on the list for Week 1 will be automatically held out for the first six weeks, a fate that wouldn't come as any surprise for Smith as he continues to work his way back from the gruesome leg injury he suffered in November 2018. While the 36-year-old still seems to be targeting a return to football, the discussion surrounding Washington's QB room for 2020 has focused on Dwayne Haskins and Kyle Allen.

JULY 27, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Alex Smith Cleared For Football Activity

After suffering a devastating leg injury in 2018, the Washington QB's journey back to the NFL has taken a significant step.

JULY 25, 2020 • FOX SPORTS

Physical set for Monday Smith (leg) is scheduled to have his physical with Washington's team doctors Monday, Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic reports.

Impact According to Stephania Bell of ESPN, Smith has already been cleared by his surgical team for full football activity, so it looks like he will be ready to move ahead in that process if he passes his physical. The news is pretty remarkable considering how serious of an injury he sustained back in Week 11 of 2018. He suffered a compound fracture of his right tibia and a fractured right fibula, which resulted in him at one point deliberating whether or not to have his leg amputated due to the severity of an ensuing infection. The veteran signal-caller has remained intent on playing again, but at 36 years old and coming off such a serious injury, it remains unclear if that will be a possibility. Second-year quarterback Dwayne Haskins is the presumed starter going into the season at this point, while Kyle Allen and Steven Montez are both on the depth chart as well.

JULY 24, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

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JANUARY 22, 2016 • FOX SPORTS