The Washington Redskins believe that quarterback Alex Smith may miss the entire 2019 season according The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. 

Rapoport adds that if Smith plays at all next year, Washington will be "pleasantly surprised."

Team president Bruce Allen said earlier in the week that Smith is on the “path to recovery” as he works his way back from a severe break to his right leg suffered in mid-November. Despite Allen's optimism about Smith's chances to comeback in the long-term, he did not offer a potential timeline.

Smith went down in a Week 11 matchup with the Houston Texans, suffering a compound and spiral fracture to his tibia and fibula after being sacked by J.J. Watt and Kareem Jackson. The injury happened 33 years to the day after Joe Thiemann’s similar injury.  

Smith battled complications following his surgery but returned home on Dec. 16.

Smith was seen at last Monday's Washington Wizards game with his leg wrapped and held in place by an intricate brace.