Alex Smith

The first overall pick in the 2005 draft, Smith started out with the San Francisco 49ers before going on to play for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Washington Football Team.

The 36-year-old's career was in jeopardy when he suffered a gruesome leg injury in November 2018, leading to 17 operations and - having avoided the need for his leg to be amputated - a lengthy rehabilitation regime.

However, he made his return to action for Washington in a 2020 season that saw the franchise win the NFC East to make the playoffs and Smith named Comeback Player of the Year by the Associated Press.

Released in the offseason, he initially indicated a desire to carry on playing but released an Instagram video on Monday confirming the end of his 16-year career in the league.

"Two years ago, I was stuck in a wheelchair staring down at my mangled leg and wondering if I would ever be able to go on a walk with my wife again or play games with my kids in the yard," Smith said.

"Putting my helmet back on was the furthest thing from my mind. I just kept asking myself: 'All this for a stupid game?'.

"Then someone did something that changed my recovery completely – he put a football back in my hands. I don't know what it was, but all of a sudden, I felt stronger, more driven. What once seemed impossible began to come into focus."

Smith was a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2004, his final year of college football with the University of Utah before entering the draft.

The signal-caller threw for 35,650 yards with 199 touchdowns and 109 interceptions in the NFL. He completed 62.6 per cent of his pass attempts and ends with an overall QB rating of 86.9.

There were also 15 rushing touchdowns, five of which came in the 2016 campaign when he helped the Chiefs to the first of five successive divisional titles in the AFC West.

"Even though I've got plenty of snaps left in me, after 16 years of giving this game everything I've got, I can't wait to see what else is possible," Smith said towards the end of a montage that included clips of his arduous recovery process.

"But first, I'm going to take a little time to enjoy some of those walks with my wife, and my kids have no idea what is coming for them in the back yard."

Smith's return to action from a gruesome leg injury was one of the feel-good stories of the 2020 NFL season; the 36-year-old was named Comeback Player of the Year by the Associated Press after throwing for 1,582 yards, six touchdowns and eight interceptions.  

However, according to a report by NFL Network duo Ian Rapoport and Kim Jones, Washington are expected to part ways with the player in the coming days. 

His career had previously appeared in serious jeopardy after he suffered a compound fracture of his right leg during a game against the Houston Texans in November 2018. Following initial surgery, Smith developed necrotising fasciitis – a rare but serious bacterial infection – and sepsis.  

After a total of 17 operations and having avoided the need for the leg to be amputated, he went through a lengthy and arduous rehabilitation regime before returning to the active roster last year.  

Smith was called to duty when Washington starter Kyle Allen was hurt in the Week 5 game against the Los Angeles Rams. His family were there to witness him play again too, though it proved to be a tough outing: he was sacked six times while completing nine of his 17 pass attempts for 37 yards in a 30-10 defeat.  

Allen resumed starting duties before a serious ankle injury against the New York Giants in Week 9 put an end to his campaign. Smith again stepped in, throwing for one score and three interceptions in a 23-20 defeat. There were career-high numbers for passing attempts (55), completions (38) and yards (390) the following week in a loss to the Detroit Lions, at which stage the franchise had a 2-7 record.  

Yet Smith celebrated a first win as a starter in 754 days against the Cincinnati Bengals, the first of five in a row for Washington under his stewardship as they rallied to clinch the NFC East title.  

A calf issue denied him the chance to play in the Wild Card playoff loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, though. Taylor Heinicke started instead and, having done well in his limited opportunities under head coach Ron Rivera, was handed a new two-year deal in February.  

Smith - who previously played for the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs - will seemingly not be back for the 2021 season. 

Dallas were blown away by Washington in the second half of Thursday's showdown – the Cowboys outscored 24-3 after the visitors scored 21 unanswered points in the final period.

The Cowboys have now allowed at least 20 points in all 11 games this season, surpassing a pair of 10-game streaks (2013-14 and 1962-63) as the new longest run in the team's history, per NFL Research.

Dallas also suffered their second largest Thanksgiving defeat, following the 27-0 rout against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1989, via Stats Perform.

While it was a day to forget for the struggling Cowboys (3-8), Washington (4-7) gained sole possession of first place in the NFC East.

Antonio Gibson carried the offensive load for Washington, finishing with 115 yards and three touchdowns against the Cowboys in Dallas.

Gibson became the first rookie since at least 1948 to have three rushing TDs in a Thanksgiving game – joining DeMarco Murray, Emmitt Smith (twice) and Barry Sanders as the only players to do so in the past 40 years, per NFL Research.

The 22-year-old – the only rookie in Washington's history to have a rushing TD in five consecutive games – is also the first player with 100-plus rushing yards and three-plus rushing touchdowns on Thanksgiving since Sanders in 1997, according to Stats Perform.

Washington quarterback Alex Smith was 19-of-26 passing for 149 yards, one touchdown, an interception and three sacks, while Cowboys counterpart Andy Dalton finished 25 of 35 for 215 yards, a TD and one interception.

In the earlier game, the Houston Texans made light work of the Detroit Lions 41-25.

Texans QB DeShaun Watson made his first career start on Thanksgiving and tossed four touchdowns in the comprehensive victory.

Watson joined Tony Romo (2006) as the only quarterbacks with 300-plus passing yards, four-plus passing TDs and 0 interceptions in their first Thanksgiving starts since at least 1948, via NFL Research.

Houston's Watson was 17 of 25 for 318 yards and four touchdowns without an interception, helping the Texans improve to 4-7 as the Lions fell to the same record.

Lions signal-caller Matthew Stafford finished 28 of 42 for 295 yards, one touchdown, one interception and four sacks in Detroit.

The 2019 first-round pick faced competition from veteran Alex Smith - who is coming back from a horrific leg injury - and the recently acquired Kyle Allen, who is well known to Rivera following their time with the Carolina Panthers. 

After a difficult season in 2019, Haskins has been given the full backing of his new coach.

"Dwayne's lived up to everything we talked about in January," Rivera said. "He deserves the opportunity. He's going to get the opportunity, and he's going to get my support."

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Chargers have named Tyrod Taylor their starting quarterback for 2020.

The 31-year-old, who was the Buffalo Bills' starter from 2015 to 2017, has been preferred to rookie Justin Herbert for the spot.

"Right now Tyrod Taylor is our starter," Chargers coach Anthony Lynn said. 

"Until someone steps up and shows that they can run this team, that's the way we're going into it."

The Chargers open their 2020 season at the Cincinnati Bengals on September 13, the same day that Washington take on Philadelphia.

Washington rallied from a 14-3 half-time deficit - including scoring the final 13 points of the contest - to end the Steelers' perfect run during the 2020 regular season.

In doing so, they became the first team with a losing record to win a road game against an opponent with an 11-0 or better record, according to Stats Perform. The result also moves them into a tie for first place in the NFC East, as they join the New York Giants at 5-7.

Quarterback Smith completed 31 of his 46 pass attempts for 296 yards and a touchdown, finding tight end Logan Thomas in the end zone in the fourth quarter to level the scores at 17-17. Dustin Hopkins then kicked a pair of field goals to seal the road triumph.

"I think we're so young that you have to be able to have wins like this to know that you can do it, you don't get that confidence without having done it," Smith said in a post-game interview with ESPN.

"So, for us, this is a big one we will take with us, knowing we can go on the road and play with anybody.

"I think it says a lot about us. We will enjoy this for a little bit, but we've got a short week travelling across the country [they play the San Francisco 49ers in Week 14] and another good test ahead of us.

"However, I do think this was a big step for us."

Smith is back playing again following a long road to recovery in the aftermath of a career-threatening injury to his right leg, which he suffered back in November 2018.

His return to action has been one of the feel-good stories in the NFL this season, with Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt – who was involved in the incident that saw Smith hurt two years ago – tweeting out his admiration for the "incredible" 36-year-old.

"What Alex Smith has done is unbelievable," Watt posted.

"Comeback Player of the Year even before taking a snap. But playing winning football after everything he's been through is even more incredible."

There was an injury concern for Smith late in the first half of the Pittsburgh game, however, as there was blood around his left ankle after being caught by a cleat.

"I had to do a quick check, make sure it was my left leg, not my right," he told ESPN. "A little more concerning with my right.

"It was a new one for me - a bit of a gusher - but luckily it was right before the half so we could get in and take care of it. Nothing serious, it just hit the right spot and kept bleeding."

Smith was elevated to the starting job with Washington after Kyle Allen sustained a dislocated ankle against the Giants in Week 9.

After losing to the Detroit Lions the following week, Washington have since gone on a three-game winning run that has raised hopes of winning the division.

Haskins – a first-round draft pick in 2019 – seemed set to serve as Washington's first-choice quarterback in 2020 after an indifferent rookie season.

The 23-year-old shared quarterback duties last year, but Case Keenum has since moved on to the Cleveland Browns.

However, Rivera has suggested it will not be straightforward for Haskins, with veteran Alex Smith making progress towards a return to the field few thought possible when he suffered a compound fracture of his tibia and fibula in 2018.

The devastating injury saw Smith miss the entire 2019 season, with the former first overall pick then developing life-threatening sepsis and requiring 17 surgeries to prevent his leg from being amputated.

Smith was cleared to resume football activities in July but remains on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.

"The biggest thing we've got to do is not make sure we're divvying up the reps as evenly as possible, but we divvy up who they work against," Rivera told a news conference.

"This could be a very interesting challenge for us because of Alex Smith. If Alex is healthy and continues to get healthy and we do activate him, he's going to be in the throes of this competition.

"It's going to unfold very nicely as a football team for us because competition is only going to make you better. It's going to push the young guys as well.

"I just feel really good about what we're going to be doing as we start going forward. It'll be a very challenging situation to make sure everybody's reps are equitable, and their competition is the same."

While Rivera seems set on giving Smith a chance, he also backed Haskins to become a leader for the team this season.

"I think the one thing I did say to Dwayne in one of the opportunities he came to first see me was being the leader is not just what you do on the football field, but what you do off of the football field as well," Rivera said.

"He's taken that to heart and has done a great job. He's competing, he's doing the things we need him to do, he's being very professional about the way he's handling himself and he's really been very thoughtful in terms of his actions.

"So that's one thing that's been a big plus. It really has. I've been really pleased with what we've got from him."

Friday's announcement came as no surprise, considering there had been widespread reports of Smith's impending release at the start of the week.

The 36-year-old was pivotal in helping Washington rally from a 2-7 record to win the NFC East and qualify for the playoffs, throwing for 1,582 yards, six touchdowns and eight interceptions after stepping in to take over as starter from Kyle Allen.

However, the former number one overall pick was sidelined by a calf issue for the Wild Card loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Taylor Heinicke started instead and, having done well in his limited opportunities at the back end of the season, was handed a new two-year contract in February. 

Smith was voted as the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year by the Associated Press having recovered from a career-threatening leg injury to resume his career, though he is now looking for a new home after Washington agreed to cut him.

"I had a chance to meet with Alex Smith this week and we had a very honest and real discussion," Rivera said in a statement released by Washington. "We had the chance to reflect on the 2020 season and talk about moving forward into the next year. 

"After the conclusion of that meeting, we decided that it would be best for both parties to move on, and we will be granting Alex his request to be released. 

"I want to thank Alex for his contributions this past year. He made such an impact on our young roster and his leadership was one of the key factors in our late-season success, and in making the playoffs for the first time since 2015. 

"Everyone here in Washington wishes Alex and his family the best going forward and appreciates all that he gave to our organisation."

Smith, who previously played for the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs, made clear in an interview with GQ last month that he intends to carry on playing in 2021, insisting he had "got more left" following his long road to recovery.

He underwent 17 operations and overcame sepsis after suffering a compound fracture injury to his right leg in a game against the Houston Texans in November 2018.

Smith developed life-threatening sepsis and required 17 surgeries to prevent his leg from being amputated after the veteran quarterback suffered a compound fracture of his tibia and fibula two years ago.

The 36-year-old returned to action last month, however, his comeback reached another level as he started in Washington's last-gasp 30-27 defeat to the Detroit Lions on Sunday.

Despite the agonising loss as time expired, three-time Pro Bowler Smith set career highs in attempts (55), completions (38) and yards (390), while he did not turn over the ball.

"I think obviously this was a better step, I got extended time last week coming off the bench and then another step here this week starting and taking all the reps," said Smith, who now has back-to-back 300-yard passing games for the first time in his 16-year career

"Going out there, yeah I felt good. I felt like I saw it well. I didn't feel like I was hindered at all, felt like I moved around well when I needed to. So certainly from that respect, felt good out there."

"Not at all," Smith said when asked if he felt any pain before or after the game. "I think, if anything, certainly wear and tear of stacking days and days and days, and that's really the rest of my body included in that, not just my leg. But nothing out there during the game, I felt great. Still feel great, so a good sign."

Smith, who went down in November 2018, led Washington to a 6-3 record in 2018, completing 205 of 328 passes for 2,180 yards, 10 touchdown and five interceptions before being sidelined.

"I think that was the scary part, was how normal it felt," he added.

"Felt really good, felt really normal and that I gotta pinch myself how lucky I am to feel that way and I am lucky that it's progressed this far and I am where I am. Certainly, a lot of people with similar injuries aren't as lucky."

Washington head coach Ron Rivera said: "I thought he played a heck of a football game. I think he's getting more and more comfortable back there, his decision-making is getting quicker.

"You see some of the really good decisions, some excellent throws – put the ball where he needed to – and again, it was good to see, it really was. Going forward, he's really just getting stronger and stronger."

Smith developed life-threatening sepsis and required 17 surgeries to prevent his leg from being amputated after the NFL quarterback suffered a compound fracture of his tibia and fibula two years ago.

However, the 36-year-old and three-time Pro Bowler was cleared for football activity on Sunday, capping a remarkable recovery.

"In the football world, I'm a dinosaur," Smith told ESPN. "But I felt like a 16-year-old again. The nerves, the feeling of excitement, obviously anxiety.

"All that stuff of being alive, the range of emotions of going out there with your team-mates. That's why you play. It felt good to get those nerves going again."

Smith, who went down in November 2018, led Washington to a 6-3 record in 2018, completing 205 of 328 passes for 2,180 yards, 10 touchdown and five interceptions before being sidelined.

"I know a lot of people probably think it's funny that I'm even pursuing this," Smith added. "I really feel like I need to see where this ends. I need to, I need to see what my limitations are, what I'm capable of.

"I really feel like I've been faced with this giant challenge in life. I can't help it. I think that my three little kids see everything that I do. And for me, just kind of continuing to push this and see where it goes, you know, and, and no expectations."

"There are steps," Smith continued. "This isn't something where you just immediately run out there. The next one is to get into team drills and, and obviously see if you can go out there and defend yourself, see if I can go out there and move around.

"Can I adapt? Can I go out there and play football at this level? It's something that will reveal itself."

Washington, meanwhile, made an historic appointment after Jason Wright became the first African-American team president in NFL history on Monday.

Former San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns and Arizona Cardinals running back Wright, 38, will oversee the business aspects of the team, while head coach Ron Rivera will maintain control over all on-field footballing decisions.

"From football to business school to McKinsey, I have always enjoyed building exciting new things and taking on the hard, seemingly intractable challenges that others may not want to tackle. I especially love doing this with organisations who have deep history and values that set a firm foundation. This team, at this time, is an ideal opportunity for me," Wright said in a statement.

"The transformation of the Washington Football Team is happening across all aspects of the organisation – from football to operations to branding to culture – and will make us a truly modern and aspirational franchise. We want to set new standards for the NFL.

"As a DMV local and fan, I've been watching this team with interest long before I knew I could become part of it. I believe in Dan Snyder's vision for this organization, and I am looking forward to partnering with coach Rivera, who is a champion for the players and one of the great minds in football. Together, we will define the future of the Washington Football Team."

Smith developed life-threatening sepsis and required 17 surgeries to prevent his leg from being amputated after the NFL quarterback suffered a compound fracture of his tibia and fibula two years ago.

However, the 36-year-old and three-time Pro Bowler returned as Washington lost 30-10 to the Los Angeles Rams.

"Very surreal at first," Smith told reporters afterwards. "To have it happen as fast as it did was almost a blessing.... Just no thinking and going and playing."

Smith, who went down in November 2018, led Washington to a 6-3 record in 2018, completing 205 of 328 passes for 2,180 yards, 10 touchdown and five interceptions before being sidelined.

On Sunday, Smith was sacked six times as he finished nine-of-17 for 37 yards against the Rams in Week 5.

Smith entered the game at the two-minute warning in the second quarter following Kyle Allen's injury.

"I've been waiting on that for a long time," Smith said, discussing the first hit. "The first one felt good. It's nice to know that you're fine and... knock the cobwebs off so to speak."

"I'd be lying if I said there weren't a lot of days where I didn't think it was going to happen," Smith continued.

Pittsburgh had opened the 2020 campaign with 11 consecutive wins – the 13th team to achieve the feat in the Super Bowl era – to stand alone in the NFL.

But the Steelers were handed their first loss of the season, upstaged by Washington after the visitors used a 13-3 final quarter to reign supreme in Pittsburgh on Monday.

Washington (5-7) became the first team with a losing record to win a road game against a side with an 11-0 or better record, according to Stats Perform.

The Steelers surrendered a 14-0 lead as Washington beat Pittsburgh for the first time since 1991, snapping a six-game losing streak, per NFL Research. In 1991, Washington finished 14-2 before going on to win Super Bowl XXVI.

Alex Smith was 31 of 46 for 296 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions for Washington, who have won three consecutive games to join the New York Giants atop the NFC East.

Steelers counterpart Ben Roethlisberger finished 33-of-53 passing for 305 yards, two touchdowns and one interception as Pittsburgh's bid for an undefeated season came crashing down in a boil over.

After his touchdown pass to Diontae Johnson in the second quarter, Roethlisberger has a passing TD in all 12 games this season, joining Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes as the only players to have one-plus passing touchdown in every one of their team's games this season.

Smith developed life-threatening sepsis and required 17 surgeries to prevent his leg from being amputated after the veteran NFL quarterback suffered a compound fracture of his tibia and fibula two years ago.

However, the 36-year-old and three-time Pro Bowler was cleared for football activity on Sunday, capping a remarkable recovery.

Smith's wife Elizabeth shared a video on social media as the family celebrated the former San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback's return.

It remains to be seen just what Smith's role looks like in Washington, where Ron Rivera is head coach and also has 2019 first-round draft pick Dwayne Haskins at his disposal.

But Smith's story and his path back to the field, regardless of the ultimate outcome, has been celebrated across the league.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid, who worked with Smith from 2013 to 2017, said: "How great is that [coming off the PUP list]? I'm so happy for him. I know how he is – he's dirty tough and he loves playing the game.

"He didn't want to end the way it ended with the leg, so now he's back. We all saw the special on him and the rehab that he went through, that day-in and day-out grind of the rehab, so I'm happy for him.

"I'm very, very happy for him, and I'm happy for the Washington team too."

Smith, who went down in November 2018, led Washington to a 6-3 record in 2018, completing 205 of 328 passes for 2,180 yards, 10 touchdown and five interceptions before being sidelined.

Washington are scheduled to open their 2020 season against the Philadelphia Eagles on September 13.

Smith developed life-threatening sepsis and required 17 surgeries to prevent his leg from being amputated after the veteran quarterback suffered a compound fracture of his tibia and fibula two years ago.

The 36-year-old returned to action last month, and he produced an efficient display in just his second start of the season to lead Washington to a 20-9 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Smith completed 17 of 25 passes for 166 yards, a touchdown and an interception as Washington improved to 3-7 for the season.

"Another step, another thing I never thought I'd be doing again," three-time Pro Bowler Smith said.

"It's one thing to come out and get that first playing time and a whole other deal to play winning football as a starter. It's amazing to get a win."

Smith set career highs in attempts (55), completions (38) and yards (390), while he did not turn over the ball in the loss to the Detroit Lions last week.

Through four appearances in 2020, Smith has completed 88 of 129 passes for 918 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions.

Washington head coach Rivera added: "When a guy like Alex who has gone through what he has gets this opportunity to get back on the field and play well, that's pretty cool."

Veteran campaigner Smith was listed as questionable due to a calf injury coming into the Super Wild Card Weekend, and Washington have now confirmed the 36-year-old will be inactive.

Smith dislodged second-year quarterback Dwayne Haskins in the 2020 campaign and has amassed 1,582 passing yards for six touchdowns and eight interceptions this season.

With Haskins having been released in December, Heinicke was promoted to second choice, and the sixth-year quarterback performed impressively during an appearance from the bench in Week 16, albeit he could not help Washington avoid a defeat to the Carolina Panthers.

Washington have not won a playoff game since the 2005 campaign. However, it was the Bucs who they prevailed over on that occasion.

On his second career start, Heinicke will be going up against the NFL's oldest player in Tom Brady, who has enjoyed a brilliant season with Tampa.

Six-time Super Bowl champion Brady threw for 40 touchdowns in the regular season, with the 43-year-old joining Peyton Manning as the only players in league history with 40-plus TD passes in a single year with multiple teams.

Only Green Bay Packers star Aaron Rodgers (three) has had more seasons with 40-plus TD passes than Brady's two.

Tampa have also been boosted by confirmation that wide-receiver Mike Evans, who suffered a knee injury in a Week 17 win over the Atlanta Falcons, is fit to play.

Smith missed two games before returning in Sunday's 20-14 win over the Philadelphia Eagles that saw Washington clinch the NFC East.

The QB missed practice on Tuesday, four days prior to the Wild Card Round clash against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Running back Antonio Gibson (toe) and wide receiver Terry McLaurin (ankle) were also listed to miss practice.

Smith has completed 168 of 252 passes for six touchdowns and eight interceptions this season.

He missed the entire 2019 season following a long road to recovery in the aftermath of a career-threatening injury to his right leg, which he suffered back in November 2018.