Alex Smith's recovery from a leg injury suffered in Week 11 may keep him sidelined until 2020.
According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, the Washington Redskins front office is preparing to move into the off-season as if they do not have a starting quarterback. Smith continues to deal with a compound fracture he suffered in a Week 11 game against the Texans.
Team president Bruce Allen told reporters on Wednesday that he expected Smith to be back but did not give a timetable to return."We'll see how it goes," said Allen: "We're optimistic."
Signs of worry first came in December when reports of infection to Smith's leg, causing a prolonged hospital visit, came out. Photos then surfaced showing Smith in a very delicate brace at a basketball game just last week.
Smith's hazy availability now makes Washington a prime candidate to make a big quarterback move this off-season, having only traded for signal caller a year ago. The team ran out the 2018 season with a medley of low-ceiling quarterbacks going 1-6 following the 34-year-old's departure.
A big contract last off-season will make it tricky for the Redskins to move on from Smith entirely. According to Spotrac, the quarterback's 2020 salary becomes fully guaranteed this March. The team is set to take a $20.4 million cap hit for Smith in 2019.
Mark Hogan
