Alex Smith taken off PUP list, celebrates with family
Alex Smith reached another major milestone Sunday in his remarkable recovery from a life-threatening leg injury.
The Washington Football Team officially cleared the veteran quarterback for football activity and removed him from the physically unable to perform list.
The next step in the comeback...
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) August 16, 2020
Alex Smith has been activated off the PUP list. pic.twitter.com/keDJK51PV7
Smith's surgical team had already given him clearance to train, but the 36-year-old is now free to participate in full-pad practices.
The quarterback has undergone 17 surgeries since breaking the tibia and fibula in his right leg in November 2018, and his leg was in danger of requiring amputation. Doctors also feared for Smith's life due to a battle with sepsis.
Smith and his family celebrated the news in style, with his wife, Elizabeth, posting the moment on Instagram.
Washington head coach Ron Rivera raved about Smith's progress earlier in August and said he could see the 2005 No. 1 overall pick forcing his way into the team's quarterback competition.
Sophomore Dwayne Haskins is the favorite to land Washington's starting job, and former Carolina Panthers quarterback Kyle Allen is also on the roster after an offseason trade.