ASHBURN — Redskins quarterback Alex Smith expects to have the external fixator on his right leg removed in a month to a month and a half, coach Jay Gruden said Wednesday.
Smith, who suffered a gruesome leg injury in November, was first seen with the fixator on his leg in January at a Washington Wizards game. An external fixator is used to stabilize broken bones and is often used until the bones are fused back together.
The 35-year-old quarterback has been around the Redskins’ facility this offseason. Last week, the team uploaded photos of Smith throwing a football — with his legs noticeably cropped out of the pictures.
“Alex has recovered nicely,” Gruden said Tuesday. “Slowly, but surely, it is going to be a little bit of time, but as soon as he is able to he’ll push it and get himself ready. We’ll have to wait and see (if he can ever play again). It is going to be a pretty lengthy process, for the most part, but once he is able to go he’ll recover a lot quicker than people anticipate I am sure.”
In the time since Smith’s injury, the Redskins traded for veteran Case Keenum and drafted Dwayne Haskins in the first round.
Smith has not spoken publicly since the injury, which required multiple surgeries. The quarterback also dealt with an infection and required a lengthy stay at the hospital.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.