Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith has not been shy about expressing his high expectations for the 2019 NFL season. Unfortunately, it appears he may have suffered a setback during the preseason.
Smith was unable to practice while resting a knee issue. According to David Moore of the Dallas Morning News, he indicated that the injury is not serious:
Jaylon Smith missed practice earlier this week to rest the same knee that robbed him of a year of his career. He's back at practice and said it's not a concern. “Yeah, I'm great,” he said of the swollen left knee. “Just a little time off to rest. It's minor.”
This is certainly an encouraging sign. Smith had been one of the best defensive players in college before that injured knee diminished his draft stock and forced him to miss his entire rookie year. Although the Cowboys took many by surprise when they took him in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft, it is safe to say that the decision has worked out for them thus far.
Smith enjoyed a breakout year after finishing the 2018 campaign with 121 tackles, 4.0 sacks, and two forced fumbles. He and fellow linebacker Leighton Vander Esch were able to establish themselves as one of the most talented, young tandems in the league. As a result, expectations remain as high as ever this season.
The Cowboys will likely continue to take a cautious approach with Smith's knee through the preseason.
Their primary concern at this point should be making it to the regular season as healthy as possible.
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