Alex Smith makes Washington Football Team’s final roster

Former Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith has made Washington’s final roster.

Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera has decided to keep quarterback Alex Smith on his final roster after a long recovery back from a compound leg fracture and ensuing complications.

Smith has fought very long odds all along, but anyone who has watched the veteran quarterback for any length of time would also know better to doubt his dedication and ability.

Smith was cleared to return to practice at full strength just two weeks ago, the completion of an improbable comeback from a leg injury that was initially believed to potentially end his career.

Smith originally went down with a spiral and compound leg fracture that led to him needing immediate surgery and ending his season in 2018. From there, Smith suffered infections that led to sepsis, requiring multiple further surgeries and treatments to not only recover but even save his leg from possible amputation.

Rehabilitation continued for Smith throughout the entire 2019 season, one he spent on Washington’s injured reserve list. This year, Smith’s injury and ensuing recovery was chronicled in an ESPN documentary entitled Project 11.

Smith first arrived in Washington after he was traded away by the Kansas City Chiefs early in 2018 for defensive back Kendall Fuller and a third round draft choice. Washington then signed him to a lucrative four-year contract worth up to $72 million. Smith went 6-4 in his first 10 games as a starter for Washington before going down with the injury against the Houston Texans.

The former No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, Smith, now 36, played in Kansas City from 2013 to 2017. In that five-season stretch, the Chiefs made the playoffs in four seasons and averaged 10 wins every year. Smith threw 102 touchdowns and only 33 interceptions during his tenure with the Chiefs.