Washington Football Team quarterback Alex Smith enjoyed a career day as he made his first NFL start since 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."