Head coach Ron Rivera announced Kyle Allen will start next week at quarterback for Washington, if he is healthy.
Allen exited Sunday’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams after taking a helmet-to-helmet hit from cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Washington was trailing 20-7. He was replaced by Alex Smith, who played for the first time since November 18, 2018 when he suffered a catastrophic leg injury.
Smith struggled in relief throwing for 37 yards on 17 pass attempts in over two quarters-and-half in the 30-10 loss.
Allen was cleared to return at halftime from an arm injury, but Rivera opted not to put Allen back in the game out of an “abundance of caution.”
Rivera cited he did not want to risk Allen from taking another shot that would have kept him out long-term.
Allen was 9-of-13 passing for 74 yards before his injury. He scored Washington’s lone touchdown on a six-yard run.
Allen got the start against the Rams after Rivera benched Dwayne Haskins. Haskins had started the first four games of the season. While Haskins struggled as the starter, Sunday’s combined performance by Allen and Smith paled in comparison.
Haskins was inactive Sunday and didn’t attend the game due to a stomach virus. There is a chance Washington could move on by trading him before the trade deadline this year. Thus, Allen will get the nod once again if he is available over Smith.
