Washington’s Ron Rivera says QB Alex Smith cleared to start vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Washington Football Team coach Ron Rivera told ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio that quarterback Alex Smith has been cleared by the team doctor to start Sunday night against the Philadelphia Eagles.
“Alex had two good days and then went through the walk-through before we left for Philadelphia, saw the doctor, and she said he’s ready to go,” Rivera told Paolantonio on Saturday night.
Rivera said Smith will get some treatment Sunday at the team hotel and his calf injury will be reassessed before game time, but the team has every expectation Smith will start and play a full game.
Smith, who practiced for a second consecutive day Friday, is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game, but a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that Washington is planning to have him start, as it has all week.
Washington (6-9) will win the NFC East if it beats the Eagles (4-10-1). The team has lost two consecutive games with Smith unable to play.
Smith practiced on back-to-back days for the first time since suffering a strained right calf during a Dec. 13 game against San Francisco. Last week, Smith did not practice until the Friday before the game; his calf did not respond well the next day, and he missed his second straight game.
If Smith can’t play, the start would go to Taylor Heinicke, who relieved Dwayne Haskins Jr. in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 20-13 loss to Carolina. In two drives, Heinicke completed 12 of 19 passes for 137 yards and a touchdown.
Haskins was released Monday after struggling on the field and running afoul of COVID-19 protocols off it.
Washington signed Heinicke on Dec. 8 to its practice squad; he has been on the active roster the past two games.