Rick Scuteri/Associated PressHead coach Ron Rivera told reporters after the game that Smith had suffered calf strain that wasn't considered serious:
Sam Fortier @Sam4TRRon Rivera: "Alex developed some tightness and muscle soreness pushing off the right leg." The team did X rays at halftime, which were OK, but the team decided the muscle was too tight to play. They kept him on the sideline for emergencies.
Sam Fortier @Sam4TRRon Rivera on Alex Smith: "He strained the calf, basically." Rivera said they'll evaluate Smith this week and see how it goes.
Dwayne Haskins Jr. came on for Smith and finished 7-of-12 for 51 yards.
Thanks to a pair of defensive touchdowns, Washington prevailed despite getting outgained 344-193. Chase Young returned a fumble 47 yards for a score in the final minute of the first half, and Kamren Curl had a pick-six as the third quarter drew to a close.
NFL @NFLSecond defensive touchdown for @WashingtonNFL 💪 Both were scored by #WashingtonFootball rookies 👏 📺: #WASvsSF on FOX 📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/3alYfT3slD https://t.co/6EJklEZWxT
Rivera's update on Smith is good news considering his right leg was the one that required 17 surgeries after he broke his tibia and fibula in November 2018.
The 36-year-old looks to be in a good position to start in Week 15 against the Seattle Seahawks. Haskins' performance wasn't good enough to give Rivera any second thoughts about sticking with Smith as long as the three-time Pro Bowler is healthy.
Sunday's win puts Washington one step closer to winning the NFC East. FiveThirtyEight gives the team a 73 percent chance of taking the division, though those odds could take a hit if Smith's injury is more serious than initially thought and requires Haskins to be reinstalled as the starter.
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