Washington head coach Ron Rivera wasted no time naming Alex Smith the starting quarterback and Dwayne Haskins as the backup moving forward.
Smith was thrusted into Sunday’s game against the New York Giants in the first quarter after Kyle Allen was carted off the field with a gruesome ankle injury.
In relief, Smith completed 24-of-32 passes for 325 yards and even threw his first touchdown since his devastating leg injury two years ago. However, Washington’s comeback attempt against the Giants fell short after Smith threw interceptions on each of Washington’s final two possessions. He finished the game with three picks total.
Still, Rivera was “very pleased” what he saw from Smith.
Now Smith will get the start next week against the Detroit Lions. It will be Smith’s first start since November 18, 2018 when he suffered a compound fracture and was carted off the field. He endured 17 surgeries and battled a flesh-eating bacteria that ravaged through his leg. Now, he gets to complete one of the greatest comebacks in NFL history.
Meanwhile, Haskins gets elevated from third-string to backup. That ensures he will be active for the first time since he was benched as the starter last month. Earlier this week, Rivera had said he didn’t see Haskins being moved up the depth chart. However, Allen’s injury was unforeseen, giving Haskins another opportunity to at least dress for a game.
Haskins had been inactive each of the four games that ensued his benching, including Sunday’s 23-20 loss to the Giants.
Washington is 1-3 without Haskins, but all indications point to the 23-year old not being in good faith with Rivera and his staff just one year after Washington drafted him 15th overall.
