Washington Football Team studs and duds from Week 5 loss to Rams

Washington Football Team Stud No. 1 – The Alex Smith return

Before we get into the details of the game, let’s forget about football for a second, and take a moment to appreciate Alex Smith‘s comeback. The veteran quarterback finally returned to the field yesterday, taking up the mantle at quarterback for an injured Kyle Allen.

Smith walking out onto the field was a moment that would have no doubt drawn a standing ovation, had fans been in the stands. But even without, it was still a chilling spectacle, powerful even beyond words.

Almost two years ago, Alex Smith essentially had his leg snapped in half, and then torn apart as doctors rallied against an infection from his surgery. The infection threatened Smith’s life, and when it was expunged from his system, amputating the leg was a very serious possibility.

Smith chose not to. Instead, he kept it and underwent reconstruction. Countless surgeries, rehabilitation days, and beads of sweat later, he’s a football player again. But it wasn’t quite real until yesterday. Now, Smith has completed the ultimate comeback. He played football again, with the odds stacked against him.