Improbably, Washington quarterback and former Utah Ute Alex Smith has been cleared to return to football activity by the Washington Football Team.
After suffering a horrifying tibia and fibula fracture against the Houston Texans in 2018, leading to a post-surgery infection that nearly cost him his leg and his life, Smith officially returned to practice.
The next step in the comeback...
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) August 16, 2020
Alex Smith has been activated off the PUP list. pic.twitter.com/keDJK51PV7
On Sunday, Smith was activated off of the Physically Unable to Perform list by Washington and participated in practice on Sunday.
Today was a good day 👏 pic.twitter.com/2MD4C4UJpI
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) August 16, 2020
Last week, Washington head coach Ron Rivera said that Smith will be in the competition for quarterback. In 10 games for Washington in 2018, Smith completed 62.5% of his passes, throwing for 2,180 yards and 10 touchdowns.
“If Alex is healthy and continues to get healthy and we do activate him, he’s going to be in the throes of this competition,” Rivera said. “It’s going to unfold very nicely as a football team for us because competition is only going to make you better. It’s going to push the young guys as well.”
Smith’s family celebrated the news in a post shared by Smith’s wife, Elizabeth.