One of the NFL's most compelling comeback stories is potentially nearing its completion. A devastating injury once derailed Washington quarterback Alex Smith's football career which also almost cost him his legs. 21 months later, he is about to complete his comeback and return to playing competitive football.

Washington head coach Ron Rivera bared his insights on a recent Zoom call with the media:

“He's looked good, he really has,” the head coach said. “I'll be honest, I was pleasantly surprised to see how far along he is. It's been exciting to watch his progression.”

“I can envision it,” he said. “The big thing is if he can do the things that we need him to do, that he needs to do to help himself on the football field, he'll be part of the conversation most definitely. He did some really good things last week. He went through all four workout days, had no residual effect the next morning, which is always important because the next day usually tells.

“We'll see how he is this week and we'll go from there.”

During a game against the Houston Texans on November 18, 2018, Smith suffered a spiral and compound fracture in his right leg when he was sacked by then Texans safety Kareem Jackson and defensive end J. J. Watt.

His leg surgery eventually developed other health complications which required him to undergo 17 surgeries in a span of nine months. Due to the severity of his injury, many believed his time in the gridiron was over.

Alex Smith plans to change the narrative as he has already resumed football practice, working off to the side with Washington Football Team trainers at the team's Ashburn facility. He will be entering a new-look quarterback room consisting of sophomore Dwayne Haskins, former Carolina Panther Kyle Allen, and undrafted rookie Steven Montez.

With training camps now getting underway, it is only a matter of time until we see the role Smith ultimately plays in the rebuilding franchise.