Alex Smith has completed a long and unlikely journey back to an NFL roster, as the Washington Football Team announced Sunday that he’s been activated from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.
During a game against Houston in November 2018, Smith, 36, broke the tibia and fibula in his right leg. Due to an infection, he had to undergo more than a dozen surgeries, which caused doctors to fear that he’d lose his leg — and possibly his life.
According to a report from The Kansas City Star, a bone in Smith’s lower leg was visible for a time because of the effects of flesh-eating bacteria.
Still, after all the surgeries and months of rehab, Smith was cleared by his personal doctors for full activity on July 24. He stayed on the PUP list in Washington, as the team worked him out to see how mobile he could be on that leg.
On Saturday night, as reports surfaced that Smith would activated by the team, his wife Elizabeth posted this video in celebration:
Washington coach Ron Rivera said recently that he can “envision” Smith competing for the team’s starting quarterback role against 2019 first-rounder Dwayne Haskins and free agent signee Kyle Allen.
Smith, a 13-year veteran, led Washington to a 6-4 record in 2018 before suffering his injury.
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