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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Zachary Neel

Alex Smith named the starting QB for Washington in must-win game vs. Eagles

It’s taken a couple of weeks, but Washington’s veteran QB Alex Smith is finally in line to start in a must-win Week 17 game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. If Washington can get a victory, they will clinch their first playoff berth since 2015.

It’s been a long road to recovery for Smith, who has been dealing with a calf strain that knocked him out of the game vs. the San Francisco 49ers in Week 14. Washington was forced to rely on Dwayne Haskins and Taylor Heinicke in the two games since, both of which ended in losses.

Smith had a solid week of practice and is reportedly looking for fluid on his injured leg, which is the same leg that he had 17 surgeries on a couple of years ago to fix his broken fibula and tibia. A week ago, we also got reports that Smith was close to playing, but he ultimately was held out after experiencing some soreness on Saturday morning.

Now, with Washington facing their biggest game of the season, they will have their top guy under center, looking to lead them to victory and a chance to play past the regular season.

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