Alex Smith Was Carted Off With An Ugly Looking Ankle Injury Against Houston (UPDATED)

Washington went all-in on a quarterback change this offseason, letting Kirk Cousins walk in free agency to Minnesota and trading for Alex Smith from the Chiefs.

To this point, Smith has had a solid season, even if not spectacular, much like the team which entered Sunday’s game against the Texans at 6-3 on the season, leading the NFC East. However, while trailing 17-7 in the third quarter Washington’s worst nightmare came to fruition as Smith suffered a nasty right ankle injury while being sacked by two Houston defenders.

The injury was reminiscent of a former Washington quarterback who had his career ended on a similar play, as Joe Theismann immediately saw the similarities between Smith’s injury and his from exactly 33 years ago to the day.

It’s a brutal injury and Smith was carted off the field with his right leg in an air cast as he waved to the crowd. Hopefully Smith will be able to make a full recovery, but it’s as gruesome an injury as you’ll see as his leg caught up underneath him as he went to the ground. Colt McCoy replaced Smith, and promptly threw a touchdown pass on his first possession.

UPDATE: After the game coach Jay Gruden announced Smith had broken his tibia and fibula and would have surgery immediately.

Should you want to see how the injury took place, the video is below but WARNING it is graphic and, should you understandably not want to see it, all updates will be provided above.