Alex Smith Leg Injury : The Washington Football Team announced that Alex Smith has been cleared to return to football activity after a 21 month recovery.
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How did Alex Smith got Injured?
Smith, 36, went down with a gruesome leg injury in a 2018 game against the Texans. He broke both the tibia and fibula in his right leg and underwent surgery shortly after.
Little did he know, this would turn out to be just the first of 17 surgeries he would require. His leg was infected during the first operation, and he had to undergo 16 more before the problem was under control.
The next step in the comeback…
Alex Smith has been activated off the PUP list. pic.twitter.com/keDJK51PV7
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) August 16, 2020
What started out as a football injury, quickly became a battle to live. Smith’s wife, Elizabeth, said they were even considering amputating the leg at one point. In an interview, Smith claimed he is “lucky to be alive”.
Alex Smith’s leg was shattered on November 18th, 2018. In the days following, he got sepsis, which nearly took his life.
He spent the next month in a hospital, then 3 in a wheelchair, then 8 in an external fixator. He had 17 surgeries within 9 months.Incredible determination.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) August 16, 2020
Also read: Washington Football Team: LB Reuben Foster activated from PUP list | NFL News
An Incredible Comeback
Smith’s injury was so serious that 21 months is considered a quick recovery.
The entire recovery process was recorded by ESPN in a documentary called “Project 11”. The actual visuals of the injury are definitely not for the faint-hearted. The injury is so gruesome that you would be surprised Smith can still walk.
Even when his life was in danger, he fought hard just to get back on a football field. Today, he has earned to respect of every NFL fan, regardless of which team they support.
Also read: NFL Preseason Power Rankings: Who will win Super Bowl LV?
QB Battle in Washington?
No matter what happens from here, this is already one of the greatest comeback stories in sports. But Smith isn’t satisfied yet.
The former 1st overall pick will now look to get the starting spot in Washington. Head coach Ron Rivera has repeatedly said Smith will be considered for the role if he’s healthy. Staff in Washington report that he has been impressive thus far.
Smith will now enter a QB battle with Dwayne Haskins and Kyle Allen. Whether he will win or not remains to be seen, but his incredible recovery has shown us all that we can never count him out.
