New Reports Emerge About Smith’s Horrible Injury

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – New details about former Utah quarterback Alex Smith’s injury in the Washington Redskins’ loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday paint a grim image.

It’s since been reported that Smith’s injury was compound fracture meaning that the bone broke the skin. It was also discovered that the 34-year old quarterback also suffered a spiral fracture in his leg, further complicating the recovery process.

Alex Smith suffered a compound fracture – meaning the bone broke through his skin, per source. Trauma surgeons discovered Smith suffered a spiral fracture in his leg – defined as a long bone broken by a rotational force. Smith, 34, faces a lengthy rehab process to try to return.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 19, 2018

Former Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann, who also suffered a gruesome leg injury in his playing days, tweeted after Smith went down that it looked eerily similar to the incident he had 33 years to the date earlier. Theismann never returned to the NFL after his injury.

Alex’s leg is exactly like mine 33 yrs ago

— Joe Theismann (@Theismann7) November 18, 2018

It’s unclear if Smith will retire, although some media are speculating that he might hang up the cleats. According to the Redskins, Smith’s surgery Sunday night went well and he is expected to fully recover.

Gruden says QB Alex Smith’s surgery went well and the team expects he will make a full recovery.

— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) November 19, 2018

After starring at the University of Utah, Smith was selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers. His 14-year career has also included a stint with the Kansas City Chiefs. Smith has made nearly $150 million dollars in his NFL career.

Athletes Who Have Come Back From Injury

NBA star Paul George suffered a nasty injury in the summer of 2014 while playing in a exhibition game for USA Basketball. Like Smith, he was down with a compound tibula-fibula fracture. He made a full recovery and despite missing nearly the entire season, returned for the 2015-16 season and had the best statistical season of his career.

Paul George shows off the insane scar from his horrific injury! #PG13 #Pacers pic.twitter.com/wU4wsEhFFl

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) February 13, 2016

Former Utah Jazzman Gordon Hayward also endured a devastating injury. His came just six minutes into the 2017-18 season as newly minted member of the Boston Celtics. He missed the rest of the season but has been able to return and contribute to the Celtics this year.

*This video does not contain any graphic images*

NBA reacts to Gordon Hayward’s injury: https://t.co/jF7l7LsFhl pic.twitter.com/f8BrFAhYKO

— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) October 18, 2017

Former Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III has also fell victim to major injuries on the NFL gridiron. Unfortunately for Griffin, he has never been the same player.

Why CBS Only Showed The Replay Once

When Theismann broke his leg on national television, the replay was shown multiple times on ABC. This time around, for Smith’s injury, the replay was only shown once before CBS immediately cut to a commercial break.

CBS senior vice president of production Howard Bryant explained the decision to not show the injury numerous times to the Washington Post.

“It’s a philosophy thing,” Bryant said. “It’s a horrific injury, and we described it in-depth and documented it, and as a group we felt that was enough. We made a judgment call and felt it was documented properly. You could see the anguish on his face and on the players’ faces.”