The Washington Football Team elevated rookie quarterback Steven Montez from the practice squad, the team announced Saturday. The elevation gives Washington insurance in case Alex Smith is unable to suit up Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.
Smith is nursing a right calf strain on the same surgically repaired leg he injured in 2018. His status against the Panthers is still up in the air, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
If Smith is unable to play, Dwayne Haskins will start in his place for the second straight game. The injury forced Smith to miss last week’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
Haskins took first-team reps in practice Wednesday and Thursday while Smith was limited. Head coach Ron Rivera said Washington was preparing as if Haskins would start, but wasn’t ruling out Smith for the game.
Smith was a full participant in practice Friday which was a huge step towards his availability for Sunday. Washington hoped to see more progress from him during Saturday’s walk-through.
Now, Washington has four quarterbacks available for Sunday’s game with Smith, Haskins, Montez and Taylor Heinicke, who was signed to the active roster from the practice squad last week.
Washington is likely to dress three quarterbacks for the second straight week with one being made inactive. That doesn’t necessarily rule out Smith, but surely adds doubts about him. Montez served as the backup to Haskins over Heinicke with Smith out.
Kickoff is set for 4:05 pm against the Panthers. An official status on which quarterbacks are active and who starts between Smith and Haskins will be revealed shortly before.
