NFL odds: Could Alex Smith actually be the starting quarterback for Washington in Week 1?

Washington quarterback Alex Smith hasn't taken an NFL snap since Nov. 11, 2018, when he suffered one of the most gruesome injuries in league history against the Houston Texans. Smith's leg was broken so badly that day at FedEx Field he nearly had to have it amputated and could have died because infection in that leg got so bad. Amazingly, the 36-year-old former No. 1 overall pick is back and ready to play football. What are the chances he could actually start a game this season for the former Redskins?

Smith has received clearance from his surgical team to return to full football activity and did report to Washington's training camp but has been placed on the physically unable to perform list. The team hasn't cleared him yet. Smith will not participate in individual or team work with his teammates while on the PUP list, and putting him on that simply gives the new Washington coaching staff time to evaluate Smith. Players can't be placed on PUP after training camp begins, and there will be no practices for two weeks around the league due to coronavirus restrictions.

If Smith proves he's healthy, new coach Ron Rivera said he'd join the QB battle: "If that happens, I think this is a guy that becomes part of our equation. That's the truth of the matter."

Smith's four-year, $94 million contract runs through the 2022 season and if Washington releases him this year, it would count as a combined $20 million against the cap over the next two seasons. The team was 6-3 and leading the NFC East when Smith was injured.

Rivera has previously said that 2019 first-round pick Dwayne Haskins and trade acquisition Kyle Allen, who played for Rivera the past two seasons with the Carolina Panthers, would compete for the Week 1 starting job and now in theory Smith could be in that mix. Washington is currently +6 on the NFL odds for that opener at home vs. Philadelphia.

"It's going to be pure competition," Rivera said Tuesday. "I like the fact that we have a good group of guys that will push each other. The biggest thing is how each guy develops over time. ... We're going to create as many game-like situations in practice."

Smith is +1200 on the William Hill moneyline odds to win NFL Comeback Player of the Year.

Via SportsLine NFL oddsmakers: Who starts Week 1 at quarterback for Washington?

• Dwayne Haskins -300
• Kyle Allen +300
• Alex Smith +1500

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