Smith (calf) announced his retirement Monday, Grant Paulsen of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Smith made it back from his severe leg injury after a year away from football, winning five of six starts in 2020 to help Washington reach the playoffs. He missed the end of the season with a calf injury and was released by the team in early March. News4Jax.com suggests Jaguars coach Urban Meyer was interested in signing Smith earlier this offseason but was dissuaded by his team's medical staff. The veteran quarterback is now opting for retirement a few weeks before he celebrates his 37th birthday.
Apr 19, 2021 8:58 AM EST
Smith (calf) was officially released by Washington on Friday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: The 36-year-old didn't have much of a trade market with two years remaining on the four-year, $94 million extension he signed in 2018, so it was only a matter of time before he was cut by Washington. Smith still believes he can continue playing in the NFL but also indicated he may consider retirement. He earned Comeback Player of the Year honors after completing 67 percent of his passes for 1,582 yards with six touchdowns and eight interceptions in eight games during 2020.
Mar 5, 2021 6:53 AM EST
The Washington Football Team is expected to "part ways" with Smith (calf) in the coming days, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Smith presumably will be released, as he isn't likely to have any trade value with two seasons remaining on a four-year, $94 million extension. Any trade would require the 36-year-old QB to take a pay cut, and even then he'd probably be looking at a backup job or a slim shot to win a starting role. Smith recently expressed confidence in his ability to continue playing in the NFL, but he might consider retirement if he's released by Washington and can't find another opportunity to his liking.
Mar 1, 2021 7:26 AM EST
Smith believes he can still play in the NFL, but he still hasn't made a final decision on continuing his career, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.
Analysis: Smith was the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year in 2020, returning from a devastating leg injury to make six starts for Washington. He won five of those games en route to a playoff berth, but Smith also made a lot of mistakes -- including eight interceptions -- and missed the end of the season with a calf injury. He has two years remaining on his contract, but he might need to accept a pay cut to stay in Washington, as the team can free up approximately $14.7 million in cap space if Smith is released. It isn't clear if Smith wants to stay in Washington, play elsewhere or retire.
Feb 23, 2021 11:27 AM EST
Smith, who missed Saturday's playoff loss to the Buccaneers due to a strained right calf muscle, has yet to make a decision on whether he plans to continue his playing career, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: The report notes that the veteran a QB plans to take some time this offseason before making a call on his career plans. After suffering a devastating leg injury in November of 2018, Smith -- who has two more years left on his contract -- beat the odds and made it back to Washington's lineup this past season, starting six games for the team. With the franchise already having moved on from 2019 first-rounder Dwayne Haskins, the team's QB situation remains fluid, with its plans for Taylor Heinicke and Kyle Allen to be determined.
Jan 10, 2021 11:42 AM EST
Smith (calf) is inactive for Saturday's wild-card game against the Buccaneers, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post
Analysis: Smith entered the weekend as questionable to play, but his right hamstring continues to be bothersome and won't allow him to suit up, resulting in his third absence over the last four contests. In Smith's stead, Taylor Heinicke will direct Washington's offense.
Jan 9, 2021 4:04 PM EST
Smith (calf) is not expected to be active for Saturday's wild-card contest against the Buccaneers, Adam Schefter of ESPNreports.
Analysis: The report made sure to suggest it wasn't a pain tolerance issue, more so the expected game plan could not be functionally ran with a limited Smith under center. As a result, expect Taylor Heinicke to get the start with Steven Montez set to backup the 27-year-old signal caller.
Jan 9, 2021 1:50 PM EST
Smith (calf) will be evaluated Saturday morning but appears to be trending in the wrong direction to suit up for the wild-card game against the Buccaneers, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: It's unclear if Washington will make the call on its quarterback situation closer to the 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff or earlier Saturday, but it wouldn't be a surprise to see Smith sit considering the veteran handled very little practice reps throughout the week. Instead Taylor Heinicke, who coach Ron Rivera suggested could be part of a quarterback rotation even if Smith was healthy enough to play, would get the start for Washington.
Jan 9, 2021 7:09 AM EST
Smith (calf) is listed as questionable for Saturday's wild-card game against the Buccaneers, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.
Analysis: Smith didn't handle many reps in practice this week, instead taking a back seat to backup Taylor Heinicke. Earlier this week, coach Ron Rivera mentioned the potential for a quarterback rotation Saturday, and he also called Smith "a little bit sore," per Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post. Smith seems poised to play through a balky right calf this weekend, but whether he can handle a full allotment of snaps remains to be seen.
Jan 7, 2021 11:23 AM EST
Smith (calf) was a limited practice participant Wednesday, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: It's an upgrade from Tuesday when Smith was listed as a non-participant on the estimated practice report (Washington didn't actually hold a practice). He'll likely get another start in the wild-card round against Tampa after he returned for Week 17, but coach Ron Rivera did suggest Tuesday that Taylor Heinicke could also get some snaps at quarterback. Smith struggled in the Week 17 win over Philadelphia, throwing a pair of interceptions while displaying little-to-no mobility.
Jan 6, 2021 11:44 AM EST
Smith (calf) was listed as a non-participant on Tuesday's practice estimate, Ben Standig of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Per JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington, Smith did some stretching during Tuesday's walk-through, but it's no surprise that the veteran signal caller is on Washington's initial injury report in advance of Saturday's playoff opener against the Buccaneers, given that he's been dealing with a strained calf of late. With that context in mind, ESPN's John Keim relays that coach Ron Rivera hasn't ruled out the possibility that Taylor Heinicke could mix in with Smith at QB this weekend.
Jan 5, 2021 2:05 PM EST
Head coach Ron Rivera said that Washington "definitely has to look at" using Smith (calf) as part of a rotation at quarterback with Taylor Heinicke in Saturday's wild-card game versus Tampa Bay, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.
Analysis: After missing two straight games with a right calf strain, Smith returned to play every snap in the Football Team's Week 17 win over the Eagles, completing 22 of 32 attempts for 169 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions along the way. While Smith isn't believed to have suffered a setback in the contest, it was apparent that the veteran was still operating at well below 100 percent in the regular-season finale. Rivera noted that the idea of rotating Heinicke in at quarterback may ultimately come down to in-game circumstances, so if Smith can at least keep the Football Team competitive throughout the wild-card game, he likely won't be in danger of losing many snaps, if any.
Jan 5, 2021 7:54 AM EST
Smith completed 22 of 32 pass attempts for 162 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in Sunday's playoff-clinching win over Philadelphia.
Analysis: If you thought Smith's miraculous comeback in 2020 couldn't get anymore story-like, he returned from injury in the last game of the regular season to lead a leader-less Washington Football Team to both a victory and a playoff berth. The 36-year-old completed 67 percent of his passes for 1,582 yards, six touchdowns and eight interceptions over eight contests in his first action since suffering a gruesome leg injury back in 2018. Smith's play this year will stick with Washington fans and football fans alike, but he doesn't have much left from a fantasy perspective, as his strengths (ball security and mobility) are long gone. Smith is set to make $18.75 million and $20.75 million over the next two years respectively, so he will be able to decide whether or not to continue playing football professionally following Washington's playoff bid.
Jan 4, 2021 12:03 AM EST
Smith (calf) is active for Sunday's game at Philadelphia, Kyle Stackpole of Washington's official site reports.
Analysis: Sal Paolantonio of ESPN reported earlier Sunday that Ron Rivera said Smith was cleared to suit up and start with his balky right hamstring, and indeed that has come to pass. If Washington pulls off a win, it officially takes the NFC East, so Smith likely will do everything in his power to gut it out Week 17.
Jan 3, 2021 4:04 PM EST
Washington head coach Ron Rivera said Smith (calf) has been cleared to start Sunday's game against the Eagles, Sal Paolantonio of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Though Smith remains listed as questionable for the contest, he's expected to avoid the inactive list and take back the reins of the Washington offense after his strained right calf prevented him from suiting up in the Football Team's last two games, both of which were losses. Smith managed only two limited practices this week, but Washington came away encouraged enough with his health and has every expectation that he'll be able to play a full game. Taylor Heinicke will serve as the backup and remains on standby in the event Smith suffers an in-game setback.
Jan 3, 2021 5:35 AM EST
Smith (calf) is expected to start Sunday's game against the Eagles, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Smith's calf feels right after back-to-back limited practices to finish the week. The veteran quarterback will be evaluated one more time Sunday morning, but he's expected to be ready to start in the must-win game. If Smith suffers an unexpected setback, Taylor Heinicke is slated to start under center while Steven Montez would serve as the backup.
Jan 2, 2021 9:36 AM EST
Smith (calf) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Eagles, with coach Ron Rivera saying the team will need to see how the quarterback feels Saturday, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Rivera said Smith looked good at Friday's practice, where he was a limited participant for a second straight day. The veteran QB has given himself a shot to play, but it does seem the coaching staff still isn't sure, as QB Steven Montez is being brought up from the practice squad to provide depth behind Smith and Taylor Heinicke. It'll be Heinicke making the Week 17 start if Smith isn't able to play in the must-win game Sunday night.
Jan 1, 2021 11:02 AM EST
Smith (calf) is practicing Friday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Pellisero says Smith will ramp up his activity level, testing out his calf in advance of Sunday night's matchup with the Eagles. The veteran QB was a limited practice participant Thursday, and he seems likely to be listed as questionable on the final injury report Friday afternoon.
Jan 1, 2021 9:58 AM EST
Smith (calf) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.
Analysis: For the first time since straining his right calf Week 14, Smith took part in the team stretch and also handled some reps with the first-team offense, per JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington. After the session, coach Ron Rivera noted Smith's activity level Friday could be tied to whether Washington practices outdoors or indoors due to the weather, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post. Rivera seems to be implying that even if Smith reverts to a non-participant Friday, it may not mean much as he doesn't want to risk aggravating the QB's injury. If Smith is unable to suit up or is deemed an emergency option Sunday at Philadelphia, the Football Team will have Taylor Heinicke under center.
Dec 31, 2020 11:16 AM EST
Smith (calf) didn't participate in practice Wednesday, instead doing mobility drills on the side, Sam Fortier of The Washington Post reports.
Analysis: In the wake of Washington parting ways with Dwayne Haskins on Monday, coach Ron Rivera will need to make a decision regarding the starting quarterback Week 17 with a playoff berth on the line. Rivera expressed optimism earlier this week that Smith will be available Sunday at Philadelphia, telling Fortier that the veteran signal-caller "was very close last week" before ultimately being inactive Week 16. Smith's lack of on-field work this week isn't a great way to kick off preparation for the Eagles, but he'll have two more practices to prove the health of his right calf. Meanwhile, Taylor Heinicke handled first-team reps Wednesday, per Rhiannon Walker of The Athletic.
Dec 30, 2020 10:41 AM EST
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