Again, Washington's Alex Smith Limited At Practice

The Washington Football Team needed a win last weekend and quarterback Alex Smith returned to help offer one. But just like last week, his status is up in the air.

Smith is still battling ankle and hamstring issues and was limited at practice on Wednesday. Taylor Heinicke, who started for Washington in Week 15, finished practice by taking snaps with the first-teamers.

Washington won the NFC East with a 7-9 mark and will get to host Tom Brady and the 11-5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Football Team won four straight with Smith at QB, as well as the all-important season finale. So having Smith behind center in the playoffs is undoubtedly significant.

That said, Smith and Heinicke could potentially rotate this weekend -- so at least Smith would play a some.

On the bright side, Washington coach Ron Rivera told reporters that Smith "threw the ball well" on Wednesday. For Washington to have a chance to advance, there will almost certainly need to be more of that.