Washington Head Coach: Quarterback Kyle Allen To Start Over Alex Smith If Healthy

Oct 12, 2020, 10:16 AM

Alex Smith - Washington Football Team...

Alex Smith #11 of the Washington Football Team talks with head coach Ron Rivera before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at FedExField on October 11, 2020 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

(Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

BY KYLE IRELAND, KSL SPORTS

KSL Sports

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera said that Kyle Allen will start over former Utah quarterback Alex Smith if he’s healthy enough to play.

Allen suffered an arm injury during Washington’s 30-10 to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, October 11. After Allen’s injury, Smith took over Washington’s offense and played his first snap since suffering a brutal leg injure during a game against the Houston Texans on November 18, 2018.

The starter’s injury occurred in the first half and Smith played the rest of the contest.

“We had a good conversation about that. I told him ‘hey, as long as you’re feeling well’ — I know he was pretty sore, he’ll be even more sore today — but as long as you’re feeling well and we’re ready to roll on Wednesday, he’s our starter,” the head coach said of Allen.

Washington Football Team | Press Conference https://t.co/k8RKwZ09za

— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) October 12, 2020

Despite not winning the starting job over Allen with his performance against the Rams, Rivera praised Smith on Monday, October 12.

“I spent a little bit of time with him in the locker room,” Rivera said of the former Utah QB. “He felt good. I was pleased, I was excited for him. He went out and had a good time. It would’ve been a lot better if we could’ve protected a little bit more. But I thought he handled it well, I thought he made some good decisions. He made quick decisions, got the ball out of his hands.”

Alex Smith was back under center for the first time in 693 days. And it was an incredible moment 🙏 @WashingtonNFL pic.twitter.com/UYd1mV1osS

— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) October 11, 2020

Smith finished the game passing 9/17 for 37 yards. He also had a carry for one yard on the ground.

Washington fell to 1-4 on the season with the loss to Los Angeles.

Smith and Washington’s next game is against the New York Giants on Sunday, October 18 at 11 a.m. (MDT). The game will broadcast on FOX.

Alex Smith’s 2018 Injury

After Smith went down with the injury vs. Houston, doctors attended to him and determined the injury was significant and immediate surgery was required.

Days after his initial surgery, Smith developed a fever and his leg became infected with flesh-eating bacteria.

Alex Smith in the last 21 months:
➡ Suffered gruesome leg injury
➡ Underwent 17 surgeries in nine months
➡ Endured life-threatening complications

Now he’s back practicing on a football field. (via @washingtonNFL) pic.twitter.com/T3edkQSKq4

— NFL (@NFL) August 16, 2020

Following the development of the infection, doctors consulted with Smith’s wife to determine the next steps in helping the QB.

Ultimately, amputation wasn’t chosen and the fight to save Smith’s leg continued. The quarterback underwent multiple surgeries remove the dead tissue from his leg.

Respect pic.twitter.com/i8fe5EUL4s

— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) October 12, 2020

In total, Smith experienced 17 surgeries.

Alex Smith’s NFL Career

Smith has played in the NFL since 2005.

The former Mountain West Conference Player of the Year was drafted out of Utah by the San Francisco 49ers with the first overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft.

He’s been a member of the Niners, Kansas City Chiefs, and Washington.

What a journey it's been 🙌

📺: #LARvsWAS FOX pic.twitter.com/tB1yfEJvti

— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) October 11, 2020

In 2018, his first season with Washington, Smith passed for 2,180 yards with a 62.5 completion percentage. He threw 10 touchdowns and 5 interceptions in 10 games before going out with the injury.

Through 166 career games, Smith has completed 62.4 percent of his throws for 34,068 yards, 193 touchdowns, and 101 interceptions.

Kyle Ireland is a Locals in the NFL Insider for KSLSports.com and host of the Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on Twitter (@kyleireland) and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).