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Alex Smith’s comeback is remarkable regardless of his next step

By Jacob Camenker

LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 04: Alex Smith #11 of the Washington Football Team throws a pass against the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth quarter of the game at FedExField on November 4, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. Atlanta won 38-14. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 04: Alex Smith #11 of the Washington Football Team throws a pass against the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth quarter of the game at FedExField on November 4, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. Atlanta won 38-14. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Alex Smith was activated from the PUP list on Sunday in a move representative of a remarkable comeback for the Washington Football Team’s quarterback.

On Sunday, the Washington Football Team made a move that some thought they’d never see. The team activated quarterback Alex Smith from the PUP list.

Smith spent nearly two years on Washington’s injured list as a result of a brutal leg injury suffered in a 2018 game against the Houston Texans. The injury required 17 surgeries to be fixed and along the way, he dealt with life-threatening sepsis while in the hospital for a month, was confined to a wheelchair for three more, and spent eight in an external fixator.

Now, he’s back on the football field. And now, many people are focused on one question. What will come next for Smith?

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Some are wondering if he can factor into the quarterback competition. After all, Ron Rivera hinted at Smith being involved in the competition if healthy. Now that he cleared for football activity, will that come to fruition?

Others are focused on the fact that while Smith’s return is amazing, being cleared for football activity and being ready to play at the NFL level are two different things. Smith may need a lot of time in practice to get back up to speed, and the organization needs to be sure that he can protect himself out there to avoid another injury to his weakened leg.

At this point, it’s unclear exactly what Smith will do for Washington. The team is planning on taking it slow with the quarterback, and that is the prudent move. They’re not expected to be a playoff team this year, so they can afford him time to heal on the bench while serving as a valuable mentor for Dwayne Haskins and Kyle Allen.

No matter what happens though, Smith’s comeback is remarkable. His injury looked like a career-ender at the time. And behind the scenes, it nearly turned into a life-ender. He nearly lost his life and then his leg, but now, he’s back on an NFL practice field less than two years after the saga unfolded.

Simply put, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more impressive recovery from a serious injury. Even if Smith never plays a snap, the fact that he is practicing is nothing short of miraculous. And it speaks to the determination, perseverance, and work that Smith put in to make this happen.

dark. Next. Alex Smith coming off PUP list

So, what is next for Smith? We’ll soon see. Maybe he’ll challenge for a role in the quarterback room. Maybe he’ll be inactive all season and serve as a mentor. Either way, his comeback is legendary and his work ethic and character will prove to be a huge asset for the Washington Football Team.

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