Former Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith suffers gruesome leg injury
Former Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith left Washington’s game Sunday against the Houston Texans on a cart and had an air cast on his leg after suffering a gruesome injury.
Smith, who was traded earlier this year from the Chiefs to Washington, dropped back to pass and was hit by a pair of Texans defensive players. Smith’s leg moved in an unnatural way. Because of the graphic nature of the hit, I am only linking to the play.
A Washington Post writer said it “certainly looks like a season-ending injury.”
“Alex Smith, he broke his tibia and fibia, fracture, he’ll need surgery right away,” Washington coach Jay Gruden said after Sunday’s game, which Houston won 23-21.
The tibia and fibia (fibula) are the two bones in lower leg. The tibia is the big bone (shin) and the fibula is on the outside of lower leg.
“I know it was very painful for him and heartbreaking for a lot of people,” Gruden said. “He’s a great guy and a hard worker, one of the key leaders on this football team. These things happen in pro football, unfortunately, you just hate to see them happen to a guy like Alex.
“Knowing the type of guy that he is, I think he’ll bounce back.”
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes tweeted: “Prayers for my guy man! You will bounce back!”
Former Chiefs receiver Jeremy Maclin tweeted: “Man praying for Smitty!”
Former Chiefs quarterback Tyler Bray tweeted: “Hate to see a great teammate and person go down with an injury. He will bounce back and be better than ever.”
In a strange and sad coincidence, Smith suffered the injury 33 years to the day that former Washington quarterback Joe Theismann’s leg was broken during a “Monday Night Football” game against the New York Giants.
Theismann tweeted: “Alex’s leg is exactly like mine 33 yrs ago”
Houston’s JJ Watt tweeted after the game: “Thoughts are with Alex. Absolutely gutted about it. Never want to see that for anyone ever. Wishing you all the best brother.”
This story was originally published November 18, 2018 at 3:00 PM.