Concern grows for Redskins’ Smith

Three weeks after Alex Smith suffered a devastating leg injury during the Redskins’ loss to the Texans, the quarterback is dealing with an infection that has kept him in the hospital and raised concerns about his long-term recovery.

The Redskins issued a statement Thursday describing the injury as “serious” and asking that “everyone please honor the Smith family’s request for privacy at this time,” while providing no specifics on Smith’s situation.

There was a feeling of concern in the team’s locker room Thursday as teammates wished the best for Smith. A large group of players took a team bus to visit Smith in the hospital Tuesday. There were too many of them to fit in Smith’s hospital room, so the quarterback was brought to see his teammates in a larger area.

“We all just assured him, ‘Hey, we’re praying for you, man,’ and wished him the best for him,” Adrian Peterson said. “That’s all we can do. ‘Hey, you’re not in the building, but we’re still thinking about you.’”

Smith is battling an infection following surgery to repair the broken tibia and fibula in his right leg, according to a person with knowledge of the situation who spoke anonymously to discuss a sensitive health issue. That person said the injury could “possibly” be career-threatening for Smith.