Alex Smith left Washington’s game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday with soreness and tightness in his right leg, which he broke in two places in November 2018, sidelining him for nearly two calendar years.
Coach Ron Rivera said Smith was available in an emergency. Washington won 23-15. Rivera said Smith experienced soreness when he tried to push off with his right leg.
When Smith suffered the gruesome injury in 2018, there were concerns about saving his leg and even his life. He needed 17 surgeries on the leg. He returned to action earlier this season, to well-earned fanfare.
Smith was 8 for 19 for 57 yards and an interception in the first half. He walked to the locker room in the final minute of the second quarter, giving way to Dwayne Haskins, who knelt down to run out the clock for the half. Haskins was at quarterback for the second half.
At Detroit, Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford was knocked out of a 31-24 loss to the Packers with a rib injury.
Stafford went toward the team’s locker room, returned to the field to throw some passes, then retreated out of view again as the Packers had the ball late in the game. Stafford was 24 of 34 for 244 yards and a touchdown.
Also Sunday, Miami wide receivers DeVante Parker and Jakeem Grant were forced out of the Dolphins’ 33-27 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in a showdown between Patrick Mahomes and Tua Tagovailoa. Tight end Mike Gesicki was ruled out in the fourth quarter with a shoulder injury.
Chiefs tackle Mike Remmers left with a back injury in the second half.