Alex Smith has had the external fixator that had been keeping his leg in place removed eight months after suffering a devastating fracture.

Smith's wife, Elizabeth, posted a picture on Instagram of the milestone.

"The last 8 months have been nothing short of crazy," she wrote. "Although it's not over, today is a big milestone. We are shedding the weight Alex has been carrying (literally and figuratively). It's one step closer to the goal. The resilience, determination and mental fortitude of this man is unmatched."

The quarterback still has a long road ahead of him.