Washington Football Team quarterback Alex Smith completed his comeback story on Sunday, making his first appearance since a horrific leg injury in 2018 almost cost the veteran his life.

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.