After suffering two difficult three-point losses in Weeks 9 and 10, the Washington Football Team has rattled off four wins in a row to put itself in first place in the NFC East. However, WFT will not have its starting QB when it hosts the Seahawks in a critical showdown on Sunday.
Alex Smith left the team’s win over the 49ers last week due to a calf strain in his right leg. Since that’s the same leg that was brutally injured several years ago, the sight of Smith walking to the locker room accompanied by training staff immediately set off alarm bells. As Smith explained, the earlier injury resulted in multiple debridements due to an infection, and there are now no nerves in the muscle at the front of his leg. So while the calf strain is technically unrelated, it is complicated by the earlier procedures (Twitter link via Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post).
The team had been expressing optimism throughout the week that Smith would be able to play against Seattle, but Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweeted this afternoon that Smith was unable to do much of anything at practice today. Washington subsequently ruled Smith out for Sunday’s game, with Jay Glazer of FOX Sports adding that the 36-year-old signal-caller just couldn’t get the calf loosened up enough (Twitter link).
That means that second-year passer Dwayne Haskins will get his first start since Week 4. Haskins has fallen out of favor with the organization, which picked him with the No. 15 overall selection of the 2019 draft, but WFT’s playoff hopes may hang on his right arm.
Haskins completed 7 of 12 passes for 51 yards in relief of Smith against San Francisco.
A great pity that Alex Smith won’t play against Russell Wilson and the Seahawks. It would be an interesting duel, between the ball security low roller and high roller Russell Wilson.
Redskins still stand a chance if they can establish a run game.
The Seahawks seem to play down to their opponent sometimes, so WFT has that working out for them. Giants were just in the same situation and beat them.
I hope Alex walks away. He has his 1st round pick title, money, notoriety, can be on TV any time for 6 figures, and 2 good legs. He has nothing left to prove. Darn good QB for 3 teams.
i hope he does what he thinks is best for him and doesnt listen to people on the internet who think they know what’s best for him.
I think 17 surgeries should be a good enough sign. But hey, I’m no doctor.
I agree with @DarkSide830
It’s not your life to choose, or to assume what his motivation for playing is.
JJ is absolutely right that Smith has nothing left to prove. Broke my heart to hear his wife describe how this whole ordeal has been a struggle for her.
WFT has zero chance against the Seahawks without Smith. Haskins sucks.