#Alex #Smith has not taken the field since #Week 14 when a calf strain forced him out of #Washington #Football #Team’s loss to the #San #Francisco 49ers. #Days before the team’s season finale against the #Philadelphia #Eagles, however, the veteran quarterback has taken a big step toward returning to the lineup. #According to NFL #Network, #Smith participated in both a walkthrough and practice on #Thursday, taking first-team reps with #Washington’s offense and putting him on track to potentially start against the #Eagles in #Week 17.
“The plan has been to ramp him up,” by NFL #Network’s #Tom #Pelissero, “and hope he can practice fully #Friday.”
#Friday, then, will serve as more of a determinant for #Smith’s game-day status, but the fact he partook in individual drills #Thursday suggests the QB is, in fact, closing in on a return to action. #His recovery would be welcome news for #Washington, which has lost two straight — against the #Seahawks and #Panthers — and was forced to start #Dwayne #Haskins, who’s no longer on the team, in those defeats.
#Smith has not posted gaudy numbers since becoming the team’s full-time starter after a rigorous offseason rehab from severe leg injuries, totaling just four touchdowns and six interceptions in seven games. #But he’s been a clear upgrade over #Haskins, leading #Washington to a 4-1 record during his five starts, and would have a chance to seal an NFC #East title for the team on #Sunday.
#Washington can clinch the division and a playoff berth with a victory but would be eliminated from postseason contention with a loss.
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