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Alex Smith’s Comeback Player of the Year campaign will not feature a start against his old NFC West rival Seattle Seahawks.
On Friday, Washington ruled Smith out for Sunday against the Seahawks with a calf injury suffered in Week 14. In Smith’s place, sophomore Dwayne Haskins will get another chance to start.
(You may also notice former Seattle draft pick Kevin Pierre-Louis has been ruled out, denying the linebacker a revenge game.)
QB Alex Smith (calf), LB Cole Holcomb (concussion) and LB Kevin Pierre- Louis (ankle) have been ruled out for Sunday. RB Antonio Gibson (turf toe) is doubtful.
— John Keim (@john_keim) December 18, 2020
Smith exited his team’s win over the 49ers last Sunday after throwing an interception and did not return, replaced by Haskins to close out the first half. Haskins then saw out Washington’s fourth straight win, going 7-for-12 for 51 yards.
Haskins started the first four games of Washington’s 2020 season, going 1-3 while throwing four touchdowns to three interceptions. Since Smith came under center, the offense as a whole has operated much more smoothly. However, with Haskins back under center, budding superstar Terry McLaurin becomes a much bigger explosive play threat, with Haskins more capable of pushing the ball downfield.
The Seahawks will have to be prepared for Haskins, McLaurin and others when they head to D.C. on Sunday.