Alex Smith’s persistent injury may prevent him from starting Saturday night’s wild card playoff game against the Buccaneers. With Smith dealing with a sore calf, there’s a real chance that Taylor Heinicke will start in his place, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. For Rapoport, he’s tending “the wrong way” for Smith.
Smith lost two games after suffering the injury during Washington’s Week 14 victory over the 49ers. He returned to the unmissable game last Sunday against the Eagles. While making two interceptions, Smith also made two touchdowns by making 22 of 32 through the air in Washington’s 20-14 victory. The favorite to win the Comeback Player of the Year, Smith was 5-1 as a full-time defender on the football team this season.
Heinicke, a four-year veteran who made his season debut during Washington’s week 16 defeat to the Panthers. Playing the ex-Washington quarterback in relief Dwayne Haskins, Heinicke made 12 out of 19 for 137 yards with a touchdown. Heinicke made up for his lack of repetition in the game by having the chance to face the rookie pass rusher Chase Young in practice.
“I love Chase Young,” said Heinicke of the rookie, who had 7.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries during the regular season. “When I see all the teams I’ve been with, there has never been a newcomer coming in and taking the reins like him … He’s going to be a problem in this league for a long time.”
Washington’s attack will face a Tampa Bay defense that finished eighth in the NFL in scoring, 21st in passes, first in races, 14th in efficiency and 20 in efficiency in the red zone. The Buccaneers’ defense will be without linebacker Devin White, who is on the team’s reserve / COVID-19 list.