Jaylon Smith

Cowboys LB Jaylon Smith says he’ll be on the field in Week 1 against the Giants

Published May. 10, 2017 4:25 p.m. ET

Cameron DaSilva

The Dallas Cowboys are expected to get a big boost on defense this season thanks to Jaylon Smith – the second-year linebacker who missed all of 2016 due to a knee injury. The key word there is “expected” because there’s absolutely no guarantee he’ll be out there when the season kicks off.

Smith is still recovering from the knee injury suffered in the Fiesta Bowl two years ago as his nerves continue to regenerate, making it difficult to gauge how effective and healthy he’ll actually be in 2017. According to the linebacker himself, though, he’ll be on the field in Week 1 against the Giants.

He said as much on Wednesday at the Cowboys’ annual golf tournament.

https://twitter.com/jonmachota/status/862395261724876801

Smith has yet to do on-field work with the team, and Jason Garrett doesn’t expect him to do much in rookie minicamp besides walkthroughs and meetings. It’s understandable for the Cowboys to take it extremely slow with their young linebacker, especially with his delicate situation.

He said he’s able to do everything in practice and is “looking tremendous,” but still wears a brace for his drop-foot condition. It remains to be seen whether he’ll need to wear it during the season, which wouldn’t be ideal, saying that will depend on the growth of the nerve.

https://twitter.com/jonmachota/status/862399866181488640

Jerry Jones shared his thoughts on Smith’s situation Wednesday as well, saying he’ll be a “franchise player that will be around for many, many years.” That's obviously the hope, and while doctors believe his nerve can regenerate to "maximum potential," the Cowboys shouldn't get too far ahead of themselves when it comes to Smith's future.

They're going to take it one step at a time, beginning with on-field work and training camp practices, where Jones believes he won't have any limitations.

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Jaylon Smith

Dallas Cowboys

New York Giants

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