According to Bickel, Smith is suffering "devastating complications" from the initial surgery on his broken leg and has undergone multiple subsequent surgeries to combat infection.
Hearing from several different people over last few days that Alex Smith is having devastating complications from his broken leg surgery battling infection. Supposedly he's had multiple surgeries to try to combat infection. Chances of him playing again in real jeaopardy.
— Eric Bickel (@EBJunkies)
December 6, 2018 "Chances of him playing again in real jeaopardy (sic)," Bickel wrote on Twitter.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport later reported Smith was dealing with an infection, but said it is "premature to say what this means for his playing future."
#Redskins QB Alex Smith is battling an infection related to the surgery he had on his broken fibula and tibia, sources say. It’s premature to say what this means for his playing future. But it is being handled with care and dealt with seriously by doctors.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet)
December 6, 2018 Rapoport later added Smith has had procedures to remove "tissue to clear the infection" from his leg.
More on #Redskins QB Alex Smith: He’s had several procedures, sources say, and @MikeGarafolo adds they are removing tissue to clear the infection. Smith still approaches this with optimism about playing. Note: His hospital room was next to Colt McCoy’s during McCoy’s 1-night stay
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet)
December 6, 2018 David J. Chao, a former NFL head team doctor and practicing orthopedic surgeon, tweeted infection is always a worry with an injury like Smith's, but surgery and antibiotics mean it "is rarely a long term complication."
#AlexSmithInfection always a worry with open fracture (where bone pokes thru skin from inside out), but with quick surgical action and antibiotics, osteomyelitis is rarely a long term complication. https://t.co/u4YAsnjfkR
— David J. Chao, MD (@ProFootballDoc)
December 6, 2018 The Redskins released a statement Thursday thanking fans for their prayers and asked for "everyone to please honor the Smith family's request for privacy at this time."
Statement by the Washington Redskins: pic.twitter.com/SROL4sPVFM
— Washington Redskins (@Redskins)
December 6, 2018 Smith first underwent surgery November 18 after suffering a compound fracture after breaking his tibia and fibula in Week 11 against the Texans.
This is frightening for Alex Smith. Terrible for Redskins as well but clearly Smith's future health is top priority. https://t.co/UddP7J3tDn
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen)
December 6, 2018 Follow Ben Krimmel and 106.7 The Fan on Twitter.
