Alex Smith juices Washington quarterback competition

It was a celebration 21 months in the making. In a video posted on social media, Alex Smith stepped out his front door and was immediately drenched with champagne. The 36-year-old’s family was celebrating what many thought impossible when the quarterback suffered a life-threatening leg injury almost two years ago: Smith was finally cleared to practice.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Elizabeth Smith (@lizbsmith11) on Aug 15, 2020 at 6:49pm PDT

Washington activated Smith off the Physically Unable to Perform list Sunday, the latest step on a long, remarkable journey to recovery for the quarterback. Later in the day, Smith joined his teammates on the practice field for the first time since breaking his leg against the Houston Texans in November 2018.

Smith returns as Washington gears up for padded practices this week — adding a fresh element of intrigue to the team’s quarterback competition.

Coach Ron Rivera has said more than once that Smith would be considered for the starting spot if he’s cleared to play. Now that that’s happened, Smith figures to compete with incumbent Dwayne Haskins and newcomer Kyle Allen, though Smith will be reportedly eased into team drills.

“This could be a very interesting challenge for us because of Alex Smith,” Rivera said last week. “If Alex is healthy and continues to get healthy and we do activate him, he’s going to be in the throes of this competition. It’s going to unfold very nicely as a football team for us because competition is only going to make you better. It’s going to push the young guys as well.”

That Smith would recover to this point is stunning, given the seriousness of his injury. 

Smith required 17 surgeries on his shattered leg, and at one point, doctors mulled amputation after the quarterback developed an infection along the way.

But gradually, step by step, Smith made progress. 

The three-time Pro Bowler opened training camp this year on the PUP list. Despite Smith receiving clearance from his personal doctors, the team’s medical staff held off clearing him for full football activity until they could see how he responded to workouts with trainers.

Smith, though, appeared to make great strides over the past few weeks. Last week, Rivera said Smith was responding well in specific quarterback drills. Washington had been eager to see Smith’s movement on the field and whether he could protect himself adequately in the pocket.

Smith rejoins a Washington team dramatically changed from the one he led two years ago. The franchise drafted Haskins with the 15th overall pick in 2019, though the 23-year-old will have to earn his spot under Rivera following an uneven rookie year. The coach also reunited with Allen, who started 12 games for the Carolina Panthers last season.

Washington initially brought in Smith to be a replacement for Kirk Cousins, trading Kendall Fuller and a third-round pick to the Kansas City Chiefs and then giving him a four-year, $94 million extension. The move seemed to work as Washington got off to a 6-3 start — its best since 2008 — before Smith’s injury.

Speaking to reporters last week, Haskins said he welcomed Smith’s return. Smith has served as a mentor to Haskins, giving him advice throughout his rookie year.

“I’m excited for Alex,” Haskins said. “I hope he gets back to full 100% health. Whoever’s in the quarterback room I have to compete with. Even though he’s not really practicing with the offense, he’s still working hard. Even if we get to run together against each other in competition and drills, I’m trying to make sure he gets me better and I get him better.”

When Smith last addressed reporters in December, the quarterback was adamant that a competition with Haskins was the “last of his concern.” His goal, he said, was centered around being able to play football again, noting the lack of a blueprint in coming back from his specific type of injury.

“His path and trajectory and mine are not conflicting each other at all, so any narrative of that is just not real,” Smith said. “My focus is singularly on getting back to where I was and even better. That doesn’t mean I can’t also be a good teammate. Those things aren’t exclusive from one another. I think I’ve learned that along the road.”

That road, though, might soon pit them against each other.