Redskins Release Ominous Statement About Alex Smith's 'Serious Injury'
Washington Redskins quarterback Alex Smith suffered a season-ending injury in Week 11 when he fractured his tibia and fibula in a game against the Houston Texans.
He immediately underwent surgery that day and, according to Eric Bickel of WJFK-FM in Washington, has undergone multiple surgeries since then.
Bickel said Smith is dealing with “devastating complications” involving an infection, and his career is in “real jeopardy.”
Hearing from several different people over last few days that Alex Smith is having devastating complications from his broken leg surgery battling infection. Supposedly he’s had multiple surgeries to try to combat infection. Chances of him playing again in real jeaopardy.
— Eric Bickel (@EBJunkies) December 6, 2018
The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported the situation is being dealt with seriously by the medical staff but added that it’s premature to say what this means for Smith’s playing future.
All of this speculation prompted the Redskins to release a statement Thursday on Smith’s behalf.
“On behalf of Alex Smith, we appreciate all of the concerns and prayers over the injury he incurred on November 18th against the Houston Texans,” the team said. “Although this is a serious injury, Alex and his family remain strong. We would ask that everyone please honor the Smith family’s request for privacy at this time.”
Statement by the Washington Redskins: pic.twitter.com/SROL4sPVFM
— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) December 6, 2018
The reports of infection and multiple surgeries are obviously not a good sign for the 34-year-old Smith.
However, he can look to another quarterback who suffered a season-ending injury, battled an infection and had multiple surgeries for inspiration.
In 2008, the New England Patriots’ Tom Brady suffered a torn ACL and MCL in Week 1, and he missed the remainder of the season. Brady then had an infection and ended up having a total of four surgeries over the next six weeks.
Of course, Brady returned the following season and has played another nine seasons since then.
There have been no public statements released by Smith or his family since the injury or the surgery, but it seems as though everyone involved is just hoping that Smith can live a healthy life and playing football again isn’t the main focus.
Smith signed a four-year, $94 million contract extension with Washington this offseason that has $55 million in guaranteed money.
His 2019 salary of $15 million is guaranteed, but the Redskins can then move on from him afterward with no more money owed.
By the end of the season, Smith will have earned over $146 million in career earnings. That figure ranks 14th all-time in NFL history.
Smith’s injury came exactly 33 years after Joe Theismann also suffered a leg fracture while playing quarterback for the Redskins.
During Theismann’s recovery, his tibia had insufficient bone growth, which left his right leg shorter than his left leg. Because of that, he was forced to retire at the age of 36.
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