Washington Football Team quarterback Alex Smith (calf) was limited in Thursday’s practice despite getting some first-team reps.
Still, Smith took a huge step towards improving his chances of playing in Sunday’s pivotal game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Washington head coach Rivera said Smith was “much more fluid,” per John Keim of ESPN.
Smith has missed the past two games since suffering a right calf strain in Week 14 against the San Francisco 49ers.
Washington’s offense struggled for the most part behind since-released Dwayne Haskins. If Smith is forced to miss a third straight game, Taylor Heinicke will start in his place.
Heinicke, who replaced Haskins in the fourth quarter last week against the Carolina Panthers, has one career start in the NFL. That came in 2018 with the Panthers while Rivera was his head coach and current Washington offensive coordinator Scott Turner was his QB coach.
Surely, a healthy Smith gives Washington the best chance to win Sunday’s must-win game. Smith is 4-1 as a starter this season. Washington is 2-8 in games without him starting this year. His presence on the field stabilizes Washington’s offense and keeps them out of far less negative plays.
Washington will clinch the NFC East division title and lock up the home-playoff game in the wild card round with a with against the Eagles. However, a loss hands the division to the winner of the New York Giants-Dallas Cowboys game and bounces Washington out of the playoffs.
Now focus will shift to how Smith’s calf responds Friday and if he stays on track to start against the Eagles.
