Former Utah QB Alex Smith Steps Back Onto NFL Field For First Time In Nearly Two Years
Oct 11, 2020, 9:33 PM | Updated: Oct 18, 2020, 3:03 pm
Alex Smith #11 of the Washington Football Team talks with his teammates in the second quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at FedExField on October 11, 2020 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
(Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Former Utah quarterback Alex Smith played his first NFL game in almost two years in the Washington Football Team’s 30-10 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
Smith has not played since he suffered a brutal leg injury in a game against the Houston Texans on November 18, 2018.
RELATED STORIES
Here is how all of the players with ties to the state of Utah fared during the fifth week of the season.
Former Utah Utes
Kylie Fitts – Linebacker – Arizona Cardinals (3-2)
The former Utah linebacker had three total tackles and two solo tackles in the Cardinals’ 30-10 win over the New York Jets.
Next Game: @ Dallas Cowboys (2-3) on Monday, October 19 at 6:15 p.m. (MDT) on ESPN
Leki Fotu – Defensive Tackle – Arizona Cardinals (3-2)
The former Utah defensive lineman had a tackle for loss in the Cardinals’ 30-10 win over the New York Jets.
Next Game: @ Dallas Cowboys (2-3) on Monday, October 19 at 6:15 p.m. (MDT) on ESPN
Zack Moss – Running Back – Buffalo Bills (4-0)
The former Utah running back and the Bills are scheduled to play the Tennessee Titans (3-0) on Tuesday, October 13 at 5 p.m. (MDT) on CBS.
Next Game: vs. Kansas City Chiefs (4-1) on Monday, October 19 at 3 p.m. (MDT) on FOX/NFL Network
Jaylon Johnson – Cornerback – Chicago Bears (4-1)
The former Utes defensive back had two tackles in Chicago’s 20-19 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Next Game: @ Carolina Panthers (3-2) on Sunday, October 18 at 11 a.m. (MDT) on FOX
Bradlee Anae – Defensive End – Dallas Cowboys (2-3)
The former Utah defensive end had a quarterback hit in the Cowboys’ 37-34 win over the New York Giants.
Next Game: vs. Arizona Cardinals (3-2) on Monday, October 19 at 6:15 p.m. (MDT) on ESPN
Francis Bernard – Linebacker – Dallas Cowboys (2-3)
The former Utah linebacker and the Cowboys defeated the New York Giants 37-34.
Next Game: vs. Arizona Cardinals (2-3) on Monday, October 19 at 6:15 p.m. (MDT) on ESPN
Garrett Bolles – Offensive Tackle – Denver Broncos (1-3)
The former Utah offensive lineman and the Broncos had a bye week during Week 5 due to COVID-19.
Next Game: @ New England Patriots (2-2) on Sunday, October 18 at 11 a.m. (MDT) on CBS
Tim Patrick – Wide Receiver – Denver Broncos (1-3)
The former Utah receiver and the Broncos had a bye week during Week 5 due to COVID-19.
Next Game: @ New England Patriots (2-2) on Sunday, October 18 at 11 a.m. (MDT) on CBS
“Ultimately we’re all in this thing together. It doesn’t matter who’s at fault or who had the positive test. We all just have to deal with it.” – @Broncos head coach Vic Fangio #NFL #BroncosCountry https://t.co/gGbDkOOkC8
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 11, 2020
John Penisini – Defensive Tackle – Detroit Lions (1-3)
The former Utah defensive lineman and the Lions had a bye week during Week 5.
Next Game: @ Jacksonville Jaguars (1-4) on Sunday, October 18 at 11 a.m. (MDT) on FOX
Julian Blackmon – Safety – Indianapolis Colts (3-2)
The former Utah safety had four solo tackles and three solo tackles in the Colts’ 32-23 loss to the Cleveland Browns.
Next Game: vs. Cincinnati Bengals (1-3-1) on Sunday, October 18 at 11 a.m. (MDT) on FOX
Devontae Booker – Running Back – Las Vegas Raiders (3-2)
The former Utes running back had seven carries for 62 yards and one catch for five yards in the Raiders’ 40-32 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Next Game: Bye Week
Sam Tevi – Offensive Tackle – Los Angeles Chargers (1-3)
The former Utah offensive lineman and the Chargers are scheduled to play the New Orleans Saints (2-2) on Monday, October 12 at 6:15 p.m. (MDT) on ESPN.
Next Game: Bye Week
Terrell Burgess – Safety – Los Angeles Rams (4-1)
The former Utah defensive back and the Rams defeated the Washington Football Team 30-10.
Next Game: @ San Francisco 49ers (2-3) on Sunday, October 18 at 6:20 p.m. (MDT) on KSL TV
Eric Rowe – Safety – Miami Dolphins (2-3)
The former Utah defensive back had four tackles and two pass breakups in Miami’s 43-17 win over the San Francisco 49ers.
Next Game: vs. New York Jets (0-5) on Sunday, October 18 at 2:05 p.m. (MDT) on CBS
Chase Hansen – Safety – New Orleans Saints (2-2)
The former Utah defensive back and the Saints are scheduled to play the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday, October 12 at 6:15 p.m. (MDT) on ESPN.
Next Game: Bye Week
Marcus Williams – Safety – New Orleans Saints (2-2)
The former Utah defensive back and the Saints are scheduled to play the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday, October 12 at 6:15 p.m. (MDT) on ESPN.
Next Game: Bye Week
Jackson Barton – Offensive Tackle – New York Giants (0-5)
The former Utah offensive lineman was not active for the Giants’ 37-34 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
Next Game: vs. Washington Football Team (1-4) on Sunday, October 18 at 11 a.m. (MDT) on FOX
Javelin Guidry – Safety – New York Jets (0-5)
The former Utah defensive back and the Jets suffered a 30-10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
Next Game: @ Miami Dolphins (2-3) on Sunday, October 18 at 2:05 p.m. (MDT) on CBS
Mitch Wishnowsky – Punter – San Francisco 49ers (2-3)
The former Utah punter had three punts for an average of 44.3 yards per punt in the Niners’ 43-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins.
Next Game: vs. Los Angeles Rams (4-1) on Sunday, October 18 at 6:20 p.m. (MDT) on KSL TV
Cody Barton – Linebacker – Seattle Seahawks (5-0)
The former Utah linebacker had 14 solo tackles and nine solo tackles in Seattle’s 27-26 win over the Minnesota Vikings.
Next Game: Bye Week
Marquise Blair – Safety – Seattle Seahawks (5-0)
After week two, the former Utah safety was ruled out for the season with a knee injury by Seattle head coach Pete Carroll and did not play in Seattle’s 31-23 win over the Miami Dolphins.
Next Game: Bye Week
Alex Smith – Quarterback – Washington Football Team (1-4)
The former Utah quarterback played his first NFL snaps since 2018 in Washington’s 30-10 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. He finished 9/17 for 37 yards. Smith also had one carry for one yard.
Next Game: @ New York Giants (0-5) on Sunday, October 18 at 11 a.m. (MDT) on FOX
Alex Smith is officially back! 💪
On Sunday, the former @Utah_Football QB took his first @NFL snaps since suffering a brutal injury in 2018. 🙌
Congrats Alex! 👏 #LocalsInTheNFL #NFL #GoUtes https://t.co/gYw1OJZsYP
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 11, 2020
Jared Norris – Linebacker – Washington Football Team (1-4)
The former Utah linebacker was not active for Washington’s 30-10 loss to the Los Angeles Rams
Next Game: @ New York Giants (0-5) on Sunday, October 18 at 11 a.m. (MDT) on FOX
Nate Orchard – Defensive End – Washington Football Team (1-4)
The former Utah defensive end and Washington fell 30-10 to the Los Angeles Rams.
Next Game: @ New York Giants (0-5) on Sunday, October 18 at 11 a.m. (MDT) on FOX
Former BYU Cougars
Sione Takitaki – Linebacker – Cleveland Browns (4-1)
The former BYU linebacker had four total tackles and three solo tackles in the Browns’ 32-23 win over the Indianapolis Colts.
Next Game: @ Pittsburgh Steelers (4-0) on Sunday, October 18 at 11 a.m. (MDT) on CBS
Jamaal Williams – Running Back – Green Bay Packers (4-0)
The former BYU running back and the Packers had a bye week during Week 5.
Next Game: @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2) on Sunday, October 18 at 2:25 p.m. (MDT) on FOX
Daniel Sorensen – Safety – Kansas City Chiefs (4-1)
The former BYU defensive back had eight total tackles, six solo tackles, and a quarterback hit in a 40-32 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Next Game: @ Buffalo Bills (4-0) on Monday, October 19 at 3 p.m. (MDT) on FOX/NFL Network
Michael Davis – Cornerback – Los Angeles Chargers (1-3)
The former BYU defensive back and the Chargers are scheduled to play the New Orleans Saints (2-2) on Monday, October 12 at 6:15 p.m. (MDT) on ESPN.
Next Game: Bye Week
Kyle Van Noy – Linebacker – Miami Dolphins (2-3)
The former BYU linebacker had two tackles and one solo tackles in Miami’s 43-17 win over the San Francisco 49ers.
Next Game: vs. New York Jets (0-5) on Sunday, October 18 at 2:05 p.m. (MDT) on CBS
Taysom Hill – Quarterback – New Orleans Saints (2-2)
The former BYU quarterback and the Saints are scheduled to play the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday, October 12 at 6:15 p.m. (MDT) on ESPN.
Next Game: Bye Week
Harvey Langi – Linebacker – New York Jets (0-5)
The former BYU linebacker and the Jets suffered a 30-10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
Next Game: @ Miami Dolphins (2-3) on Sunday, October 18 at 2:05 p.m. (MDT) on CBS
Ezekiel Ansah – Defensive End – San Francisco 49ers (2-3)
On October 5, the former BYU defensive end was ruled out for the rest of the season with a torn bicep.
Next Game: vs. Los Angeles Rams (4-1) on Sunday, October 18 at 6:20 p.m. (MDT) on KSL TV
Fred Warner – Linebacker – San Francisco 49ers (2-3)
The former BYU linebacker had 11 total tackles, 8 solo tackles, one tackle for loss, and a quarterback hit in the Niners’ 43-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins.
Next Game: vs. Los Angeles Rams (4-1) on Sunday, October 18 at 6:20 p.m. (MDT) on KSL TV
Former Utah State Aggies
Tyler Larsen – Center – Carolina Panthers (3-2)
The former USU offensive lineman and the Panthers beat the Atlanta Falcons 23-16.
Next Game: vs. Chicago Bears (4-1) on Sunday, October 18 at 11 a.m. (MDT) on FOX
Patrick Scales – Long Snapper – Chicago Bears (4-1)
The former Aggie long snapper played nine snaps on special teams in Chicago’s 20-19 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Next Game: @ Carolina Panthers (3-2) on Sunday, October 18 at 11 a.m. (MDT) on FOX
Jordan Love – Quarterback – Green Bay Packers (4-0)
The former Utah State quarterback and the Packers had a bye week during Week 5.
Next Game: @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2) on Sunday, October 18 at 2:25 p.m. (MDT) on FOX
Darwin Thompson – Running Back – Kansas City Chiefs (4-1)
The former Aggie running back and the Chiefs suffered a 40-32 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Next Game: @ Buffalo Bills (4-0) on Monday, October 19 at 3 p.m. (MDT) on FOX/NFL Network
JoJo Natson – Wide Receiver – Cleveland Browns (4-1)
After week three, the former Utah State receiver was ruled out for the season with injury.
Next Game: @ Pittsburgh Steelers (4-0) on Sunday, October 18 at 11 a.m. (MDT) on CBS
Dallin Leavitt – Cornerback – Las Vegas Raiders (3-2)
The former Utah State defensive back was not active for the Raiders’ 40-32 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Next Game: Bye Week
Nevin Lawson – Cornerback – Las Vegas Raiders (3-2)
The former Utah State defensive back had six total tackles, five solo tackles, one sack, one tackle for loss, one quarterback hit, and a pass breakup in the Raiders’ 40-32 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Next Game: Bye Week
Nick Vigil – Linebacker – Los Angeles Chargers (1-3)
The former Utah State linebacker and the Chargers are scheduled to play the New Orleans Saints (2-2) on Monday, October 12 at 6:15 p.m. (MDT) on ESPN.
Next Game: Bye Week
Kyler Fackrell – Linebacker – New York Giants (0-5)
The former USU linebacker had three total tackles, two solo tackles, one tackle for loss, one pass breakup, one interception, and a touchdown in the Giants’ 37-34 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
Next Game: vs. Washington Football Team (1-4) on Sunday, October 18 at 11 a.m. (MDT) on FOX
Former @USUFootball linebacker Kyler Fackrell scored his first NFL TD on a pick-6️⃣ against the @dallascowboys.#TogetherBlue #NFL #AggiesAllTheWay https://t.co/Sfd33B9pbS
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 11, 2020
Bobby Wagner – Linebacker – Seattle Seahawks (5-0)
The former Utah State linebacker had 14 total tackles and five solo tackles in Seattle’s 27-26 win over the Minnesota Vikings.
Next Game: Bye Week
Former Weber State Wildcats
Taron Johnson – Cornerback – Buffalo Bills (4-0)
The former Weber State defensive back and the Bills are scheduled to play the Tennessee Titans (3-0) on Tuesday, October 13 at 5 p.m. (MDT) on CBS.
Next Game: vs. Kansas City Chiefs (4-1) on Monday, October 19 at 3 p.m. (MDT) on FOX/NFL Network
Former Southern Utah Thunderbirds
LeShaun Sims – Cornerback – Cincinnati Bengals (1-3-1)
The former SUU defensive back had two tackles and a pass breakup in the Bengals’ 27-3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Next Game: @ Indianapolis Colts (3-2) on Sunday, October 18 at 11 a.m. (MDT) on FOX
Miles Killebrew – Safety – Detroit Lions (1-3)
The former Thunderbirds star and the Lions had a bye week during Week 5.
Next Game: @ Jacksonville Jaguars (1-4) on Sunday, October 18 at 11 a.m. (MDT) on FOX
Former High School Players
Xavier Su’a-Filo (Timpview/UCLA) – Offensive Guard – Cincinnati Bengals (1-3-1)
The former Timpview star is currently on Cincinnati’s Injured/Reserve List and did not play in the Bengals’ 27-3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Next Game: @ Indianapolis Colts (3-2) on Sunday, October 18 at 11 a.m. (MDT) on FOX
Porter Gustin (Salem Hills/USC) – Defensive End – Cleveland Browns (4-1)
The former Salem Hills star and the Browns defeated the Indianapolis Colts 32-23.
Next Game: @ Pittsburgh Steelers (4-0) on Sunday, October 18 at 11 a.m. (MDT) on CBS
Dalton Schultz (Bingham/Stanford) – Tight End – Dallas Cowboys (2-3)
The former Bingham star had one catch for six yards in the Cowboys’ 37-34 win over the New York Giants.
Next Game: vs. Arizona Cardinals (3-2) on Monday, October 19 at 6:15 p.m. (MDT) on ESPN
Noah Togiai (Hunter/Oregon State) – Tight End – Indianapolis Colts (3-2)
The former Hunter star was not active for the Colts’ 32-23 loss to the Cleveland Browns.
Next Game: vs. Cincinnati Bengals (1-3-1) on Sunday, October 18 at 11 a.m. (MDT) on FOX
Alohi Gilman (Orem/Notre Dame) – Safety – Los Angeles Chargers (1-3)
The former Orem star and the Chargers are scheduled to play the New Orleans Saints (2-2) on Monday, October 12 at 6:15 p.m. (MDT) on ESPN.
Next Game: Bye Week
Andre James (Herriman/UCLA) – Offensive Tackle – Las Vegas Raiders (3-2)
The former Herriman star and the Raiders beat the Kansas City Chiefs 40-32.
Next Game: Bye Week
Kaden Elliss (Judge Memorial/Idaho) – Linebacker – New Orleans Saints (2-2)
The former Judge Memorial star and the Saints are scheduled to play the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday, October 12 at 6:15 p.m. (MDT) on ESPN.
Next Game: Bye Week
Bryan Mone (Highland/Michigan) – Defensive Tackle – Seattle Seahawks (5-0)
The former Highland star had one tackle in Seattle’s 27-26 win over the Minnesota Vikings.
Next Game: Bye Week
Kyle Ireland is a Locals in the NFL Insider for KSLSports.com and host of the Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on Twitter (@kyleireland) and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).
