Alex Smith took a huge step to normalcy when he recently had the external fixator device removed from his right leg. Last November, the Washington Redskins quarterback suffered a gruesome compound fracture that broke his fibula and tibia in a game against Houston.
The injury was similar to former Redskins QB great Joe Theismann that ended his career 33 years prior.
While talking about the similarities in both his and Smith’s injury, Theismann revealed Alex Smith came close to losing his leg.
“I was there that night,” Theismann said while appearing on Ian Rapoport’s podcast “RapSheet and Friends”. “I looked at it and I turned to [my wife] Robin and I said ‘that’s exactly like mine.’
“He came very, very close to losing his leg and fortunately, you know, he still has it. Alex for sure will not play this year.”
Smith underwent multiple surgeries and developed an infection stemming from the injury. One of those procedures was to place an external fixator to his injured leg, which he wore for eight months before its removal.
Smith stated last month that returning back to the football field was “the plan.”
That’s debatable among fans and media. The Redskins seemingly have moved on momentarily, trading for Case Keenum and then drafting Dwayne Haskins in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Washington also has Colt McCoy returning from a broken fibula he suffered in December.
There is no expectations for Smith to play any in 2019. If a return to football is in the cards, there’s presumption he will face both mental and physical hurdles.
When asked if Smith could return and play at a high level, Theismann was cautious in considering the issues that Smith would presumably encounter.
“I would say ‘let’s see how you feel one year from now,'” Theismann answered. “Picture a pitcher not being able to push off the mound. Picture a quarterback not being able to load his weight and go forward.
“And so what happens is when you think of that throwing mechanism, his body, his arm, his legs, his ability to turn and push, if one of those elements is lessened, the other areas have to make up for it.”
Smith signed a four-year deal worth $94 million and $71 million guaranteed after he was traded from the Kansas City Chiefs to the Redskins. He is set to carry a $20.4 million cap hit in 2019 and his 2020 salary of $16 million ($21.4 million cap hit) was fully guaranteed on March 17, 2019, according to Spotrac.
With Washington not having a potential out until 2021, Smith presumably will continue to rehab with a goal of returning to the football field over the course the next two seasons.
