Rivera lauds Alex Smith for 'very big step' after QB joins full-team work

Washington Football Team quarterback Alex Smith continues to progress toward an inspiring return to football following a serious leg injury.

Smith participated in full-team work at training camp for the first time Saturday, and though his team wasn't in full pads, head coach Ron Rivera is thrilled about the signal-caller's progress.

"It was a very big step because again, it's back to football, 11-on-11, bodies around you," Rivera told reporters Saturday. "Sure, we were in shells today, but just the fact that he was doing something with 11 guys on the field at the same time I think is a big step in the direction that we all want to head."

Smith took three snaps in the 11-on-11 red-zone drill, handing the ball off on two plays and throwing a 5-yard pass to running back J.D. McKissic, according to a team practice report obtained by ESPN's John Keim.

Rivera is now aiming for Smith to take part in Washington's full 11-on-11 session over the upcoming week.

"It's really just to gauge his confidence in himself," the coach said. "It's an opportunity for us to gauge where he is in terms of his total movement with 11 players on the field on both sides. So, we'll see how it goes. The hope is in the next few days we can just continue to progress with him."

Smith suffered a broken fibula and tibia in November 2018 and underwent 17 surgeries to give himself a chance of resuming his NFL career.

The 36-year-old has been practicing with Washington's second unit, behind presumed starting quarterback Dwayne Haskins.

Washington's depth chart also features Kyle Allen, who was acquired this offseason after spending two campaigns with the Carolina Panthers.