When Washington Football Team (then Washington Redskins) quarterback Alex Smith broke his leg in two places on November 18th, 2018, not many expected him to make a comeback.
After initial surgery on the injury, things took a turn for the worse when Smith developed life-threatening necrotizing fasciitis that resulted in sepsis.
The former Kansas City Chiefs quarterback underwent 17 additional surgeries in order to save his leg and his career. Smith spent a lot of weekends at the hospital (4 hospital stays over a period of 9 months). Doctors told him that he would require amputation above his right knee.
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However, they managed to perform skin grafts to save his knee. Smith further underwent an operation, transferring muscle from his left quadriceps to his right in order to save his leg.
He wore an external fixation device right up until the start of the 2020 offseason. Now, almost 2 years after he suffered his career-altering injury, Smith is ready to make his first start for Washington.
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Alex Smith gets the nod to start against Detroit Lions on Sunday
What a journey it's been for Alex Smith.
So inspiring 🙏
(h/t @FieldYates) pic.twitter.com/JCaeXK4CtO
— ESPN (@espn) November 15, 2020
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Injuries to Dwayne Haskins and Kyle Allen mean that Alex Smith is set to complete his ‘fairytale comeback’ by starting his first game for Washington in Week 10. Ron Rivera’s boys play the Matthew Stafford-led Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Sunday.
Smith has been cleared to start after Kyle Allen underwent ankle surgery earlier this week. The 36-year-old veteran has already featured in 2 games for Washington this season. He has thrown for 362 yards with 1 touchdown and 3 interceptions.
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Smith’s return to the NFL is nothing short of a miracle. Regardless of the outcome of today’s game, the former NFL number one draft pick is an inspiration to many. We hope that there are a few more chapters left in Alex Smith’s remarkable NFL journey.
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