Team news: Washington Football Team

WFT QB Alex Smith is inactive tonight.

Taylor Heinicke will start against Tampa Bay, play him at your own risk.

Rivera said they have to consider rotating Alex Smith and Taylor Heinicke on Saturday. Playing an aggressive defense contributes to that thinking...

Rivera has emphasized that he's not saying he will rotate the QBs, but something he will consider. Under what circumstances? Not quite sure yet...

Alex Smith had limited mobility in Week 17 against the Eagles, after recovering from a calf injury that had sidelined him for two contests. The potential for a dual-QB day makes neither signal-caller playable for DFS in the Wild Card round.

Washington is planning to start QB Alex Smith on Sunday night vs the #Eagles, sources say. He came out of the practice week with his calf feeling fine and should be good to go for the win-and-in game. The team will still check him Sunday morning to be sure.

Alex Smith's weapons are more of a concern this week, as both Terry McLaurin and Antonio Gibson are still questionable heading into tomorrow's slate. Smith is 4for4's QB28.

WFT WR Terry McLaurin and RB Antonio Gibson are questionable for Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles, according to NIcki Jhabvala of The Washington Post.

The Eagles are expected to be missing key players on defense, so a return for McLaurin and another dozen reps for Gibson this week could be what secures a playoff berth for WFT.

Washington Football Team QB Alex Smith is questionable for Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post.

Related Player: Taylor Heinicke

Smith has the experience and reps in the offense, but is a questionable play after missing over one game with his injury. Taylor Heinicke would get his first start of the season if Smith can't play.

Washington quarterback Alex Smith returned to practice on Thursday.

Washington held Smith out of practice on Wednesday, but that was likely a case of managing his reps in hopes of keeping him healthy for a potential playoff run. Washington just needs to win on Sunday to make the postseason but will be facing an Eagles team with something to prove. Smith should, barring any setbacks, be cleared to start Week 17 and has a plus matchup against one of the softer cornerback groups in the league.

Washington has released QB Dwayne Haskins.

Related players: Alex Smith, Taylor Heinicke

Washington had to start Haskins in Week 16 despite Haskins violating COVID rules by not wearing a mask at a nightclub. To top that off, Haskins was awful in a game that could have sealed the division for Washington. He was eventually replaced by Heinicke. Smith is expected to be back in Week 17 when the team faces the Eagles. The team just needs a win to win the division.

In his Kansas City tenure, with the Chiefs’ playoff position locked in before the final regular-season game, Andy Reid has typically rested some of his starters. The first NFL start for quarterback Patrick Mahomes occurred in the final week of the 2017 regular season in Denver.

Mahomes and third-team quarterback Tyler Bray took all the snaps while starter Alex Smith rested.

The story pointed to several other times teams under Reid have rested starters, and it dates back to his days in Philly. The Chiefs will be the only AFC team not to play on Jan. 9 or 10 in the opening weekend of the playoffs, so it's a chance to give his players two weeks off from the wear and tear of the league. Reid didn't commit yet either way, however, so those with Chiefs playing in Week 17 of their fantasy playoffs should monitor this situation.