When the Dallas Cowboys used the 34th overall selection in the 2016 NFL Draft to select injured Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith, the Cowboys knew they had a long road ahead of them. Hopeful that Smith could play last season but realistic enough to be patient and wait it out, Dallas’ second round gamble may finally start paying off this upcoming season.
With the 22-year old linebacker preparing for his first training camp with the Cowboys, all eyes will be on Smith’s left knee, which he injured during the Fiesta Bowl last January. Along with a torn ACL, Jaylon suffered significant nerve damage which had some worried he’d never play football again.