Veteran Alex Smith will start against the Eagles on Sunday night with Washington’s playoff chances on life support.

ESPN reports that Smith has been cleared by Washington’s team doctor after missing two games with a calf injury.

“Alex had two good days and then went through the walk-through before we left for Philadelphia, saw the doctor, and she said he’s ready to go,” head coach Ron Rivera told ESPN on Saturday night.

Smith practiced on Thursday and Friday and will receive treatment ahead of the game. He will be assessed at that time, but “the team has every expectation Smith will start and play a full game.”

The 36-year-old practiced ahead of the team’s Week 16 matchup against the Panthers (Rivera’s former squad) but suffered a setback and was forced to sit out the game.

His return comes ahead of a monumental Week 17 showdown against the Eagles (4-10-1). The Football Team (6-9) currently sits in first place in the NFC East (tied with the Cowboys) despite a two-game skid and can clinch the division with a win. Dwayne Haskins Jr. started each of those games while Smith was sidelined. The 2019 first-rounder was benched in the fourth quarter last week for fourth-string quarterback Taylor Heinicke.

Haskins was released a day later in light of his on-field performance and violation of COVID-19 protocols.

Smith has completed 66.4 percent of his passes for 1,420 yards, four touchdowns and six interceptions. The team is 4-1 in his five starts this year. Heinicke — who completed 12 of 19 attempts for for 137 yards and a touchdown on Sunday in relief of Haskins — will back up Smith this week.

The Football Team has the tiebreak advantage over the Cowboys (6-9) having won both of their matchups, but would not have such advantage over the Giants (5-10) in the event both Washington and Dallas lost.

Wide receiver Terry McLaurin and running back Antonio Gibson are also expected to start on Sunday.