Washington quarterback Kyle Allen is expected to undergo surgery in the coming weeks on his dislocated/fractured ankle, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com (on Twitter). With Allen’s season in flux, Alex Smith is likely poised to serve as the team’s starter for the rest of the year. 
Fortunately, Allen’s injury was not as bad as it first appeared. Smith took over for Allen after he was forced out and played well, up until his late-game interceptions. Of course, Smith can be forgiven if he was a bit rusty. Two years ago, his gruesome leg injury nearly cost him his career and, at one point, the possibility of amputation was floated by doctors.
Smith, 36, made his return this year and moved up to No. 2 on the depth chart when former first-round pick Dwayne Haskins was benched in early October. Days later, Smith took the field against the Rams in relief of Allen. Though his final stat was ugly, coaches were encouraged by his ability to absorb blows from the front seven.
Sunday’s loss to the Giants dropped the Washington Football Team down to 2-6. Even in the woeful NFC East, they’re facing long odds of making the postseason. Still, Smith’s return to the starting lineup will make for compelling television. He’ll be leading the way on Sunday when the WFT travels to Detroit to face the Lions.
‘…Though his final stat was ugly, coaches were encouraged by his ability to absorb blows from the front seven.’
Wouldn’t it be better to have an O line block for the QB rather than have him ‘absorb blows’?
Only if you are not wearing a jets or redskins jersey!
I’m nervous for Alex Smith. When that’s what your coaching staff is evaluating off of it ain’t good.
lmao, yes. If ‘absorbing blows’ is part of the criteria they’re using to put a silver lining on his performance, just put an 6’8″, 350 lb offensive tackle back there. He could probably absorb blows all day. Washington will still lose, as always, but man, his PFF score for ‘taking hits’ will be off the charts!
Washington will be the landing place for Tyrod Taylor
If Tyrod is smart he’d stay far, far away- for his own sake.
if only they had a young quarterback to give a shot…
If I were a WFT fan I’d really be starting to question coach Ron. They’re 2-6, the line is woeful and if by some ridiculous series of events they somehow made the playoffs, who they going to beat? In spite of all this you’re not going to play Haskins to see what you have? They should officially just put WTF on their helmets with a picture of a screaming clown. Circus music could replace the old hail to the Skins song.
Hi, hi- WFT fan here.
Not questioning Ron yet, because I’m not sure he’s running the day-to-day operations. He’s still sick. Could be JDR.
If the locker room supports Alex Smith and not Haskins- who did tick some teammates off by strutting after a blowout loss- it’s best to acquiesce to the team’s choice for leader.
Contrary to popular belief, WAS or the Jets or any bad team, is going out there to win every week. And if Smith is going to get the most out of his teammates, so be it.
I just hope they play with two TEs to block and have a HB as insurance.
‘If the locker room supports Alex Smith and not Haskins- who did tick some teammates off by strutting after a blowout loss- it’s best to acquiesce to the team’s choice for leader.’
Why? They’re going to lose either way and a good 1/3 of the team won’t even be there next year (given normal roster turnover). The *only* person who should be under center is Haskins. Smith was his best for a great deal of that game and they were still losing to the 1-7 Giants (who, as a fan, I can tell you are not good at all).
Playing Haskins allows you to make a decision on him. If he plays terrible, then you know for sure he’s not the QB of the future. If he plays great, you can decide if you want to trade him or keep him.
I cannot think of a single reason to play Smith when the rest of the team is that bad.
Not playing Haskins might be a clue as to Riveras decision as to who can play QB for Washington.
Haskins 14 whole games of college experience with what would be a pretty good pro team which was his Ohio State offense is telling not only of his skill set but maturity.
The 3 interceptions weren’t great, but Alex Smith’s 300+ yards and a 75% competition rate is great.