Heinicke to start for Washington vs. Bucs, Smith inactive

Washington Football Team quarterback Alex Smith is inactive for Saturday's wild-card game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to a calf injury.

Taylor Heinicke will start the contest as a result.

Smith missed two games last month after suffering the calf ailment but was able to play in the regular-season finale against the Philadelphia Eagles. His calf is reportedly still sore and hasn't loosened up.

This will mark the second start of Heinicke's career and first since his Week 16 appearance with the Carolina Panthers in 2018.

The 27-year-old, who joined Washington in December, made just one appearance in 2020, throwing for 137 yards and one touchdown on 12-for-19 passing after replacing Dwayne Haskins late against the Panthers in Week 16.

Steven Montez, an undrafted rookie out of Colorado, will be Washington's backup quarterback in the club's first playoff game since 2015.