Alex Smith will start next week for the Washington Football Team against the Detroit Lions after taking over midway through Sunday’s loss, coach Ron Rivera said.
Smith replaced quarterback Kyle Allen after he dislocated his ankle late in the first quarter and showed some positive things during his second appearance of the season. He threw for 325 yards against the New York Giants — his most since 2017, when he was with the Kansas City Chiefs — and found wideout Terry McLaurin for a 68-yard touchdown that gave Washington a chance to complete a comeback.
But Smith also threw three interceptions, his most in a single game since 2014. His last two picks came in the final three minutes of the contest. With 2:18 remaining, Smith scrambled right and flipped a pass toward running back J.D. McKissic. But the ball sailed on Smith.
And the last one, Smith searched for a target over the middle but instead found Giants safety Logan Ryan to seal the game.
With Allen out next week, Dwayne Haskins will dress once more and serve as Smith’s backup. Haskins hasn’t featured since his benching in October.
• Andy Kostka can be reached at akostka@washingtontimes.com.
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