As players around the NFL gear up for upcoming training camps, Redskins quarterback Alex Smith is taking a positive step toward recovery.

Announced in an Instagram post from his wife, Smith no longer needs to wear a leg brace for the season-ending injury he sustained in November of last year. The caption noted how big of a milestone it was and how Smith is “one step closer to the goal.”

Smith suffered a broken fibula and tibia when his lower right leg bent backward as he went down on a sack in the third quarter against the Texans last season. He underwent major surgery immediately after the incident.

While opening up about his injury in an interview with Fox 5 DC last month, Smith admitted that he was unsure if he would ever play football again. The 35-year-old said he essentially needs to relearn how to use his leg.

“That’s the plan. I’ve got to conquer some more steps before I get there — learn to run again, that was a big one,” Smith said. “But I’m already throwing. Throwing’s not a problem, but dropping, moving around, changing direction, all that kind of stuff.”

The Redskins signed Smith, a former No. 1 overall pick, to a four-year, $94 million contract when he was traded from the Chiefs in January 2018.

The three-time Pro Bowler is expected to miss the entire 2019 season.