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In addition, Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford also got significant playing time, remaining in the game for the first drive of the third quarter in Detroit's matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
These numbers certainly raise some questions regarding Jay Gruden's handling of Smith, especially considering this is Smith's first season in Washington and Gruden's 0-4 record in regular season openers.
However, when asked about taking Smith and other starters out earlier than some would have expected Friday, Gruden said his primary concern is keeping them healthy heading into Week 1 of the regular season.
"My goal was to get the one offense some looks and get them off the field after about three or four drives really, no matter what," Gruden said. "I want to get some key backups some good work against some of their ones, and that's what happened."
"But my whole intent is to get our starting group to Arizona healthy, and looks like that's what we're on pace to do right now."
Smith echoed those sentiments after the game, telling reporters he's content with his limited preseason playing time.
"As good as it would feel to sit up here and '(we) played amazing and won a game,' the goal is to find out about our 53 guys that are going to make the team, and then obviously be ready to roll come September 9th," Smith said. "That’s the goal, and keeping that in mind, I do feel like we’re headed down that path."
"Only time's gonna tell. The proof will be in the pudding for us. We gotta be ready to roll come September 9th."