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Former Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith is one step closer to completing one of the greatest comebacks in sports history.
Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera benched starter Dwayne Haskins for Kyle Allen on Wednesday morning, and he also announced the promotion of Smith to the team’s backup.
Not only is Dwayne Haskins not starting for the Washington Football Team on Sunday, he's not even No. 2. Alex Smith will back up Kyle Allen against the #Rams.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 7, 2020
Smith, 36, fractured the tibia and fibula in his right leg during a game between the Washington Football Team and the Houston Texans in November 2018. Smith’s leg became infected shortly after the injury; at one point, doctors considered amputation.
The rehab process for the injury was long and arduous, as the quarterback had to undergo at least 17 surgical procedures.
Smith continued working, and doctors cleared him for football activity in late July. Rivera said in August he could compete for the starting job.
The Chiefs traded Smith to the Washington Football Team during the 2018 offseason, turning the team over to Patrick Mahomes. Smith was the Chiefs’ starting quarterback from 2013-17, leading Kansas City to a combined 50-26 record. Smith had the Washington Football Team at 6-4 in 2018 before suffering the injury.
He is now one play — or performance — away from seeing the field.