The Dallas Cowboys have not been shy about setting their expectations high going into the 2018 NFL season. Unfortunately, linebacker Sean Lee will have to wait a bit longer to join his team as they prepare for a bounce-back year.

The Cowboys have been understandably cautious with his progression from the hamstring issues that sidelined him last season. According to Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk, Lee is confident he is taking the right steps to staying healthy this year:

“It’s the same process we tend to use this time of year,” Lee said. “I get the governor put on me and have to be smart this time of year. It’s tough not being out there, because you want to be out there trying to lead from the front. But there’s perspective that’s kept this time of year, that we’ve got to build toward training camp and build toward the year. I’ve had an issue staying on the field. I felt in ’15 and ’16 we did a good job staying on the field. Last year, I didn’t. So I think we have a great game plan to try to keep me out there.”

It is no secret that Lee has dealt with his fair share of injuries over the years. As a result, he has missed 42 games throughout his eight-year career and still has yet to play a full 16-game season. That said, it is easy to see why Dallas is taking every precaution they can this time around.

When healthy, Lee is one of the best linebackers in the NFL. His versatile skill set as both a run-stopper and pass defender makes him an every-down player in the Cowboys' defense. Although it is what led him to two Pro Bowl selections, it has seemingly taken its toll on his body over the course of his career.

Lee was enjoying another solid year before he was sidelined with the hamstring issues. He racked up 101 tackles and an interception in 11 games during the 2017 campaign. It goes without saying that the defense looks much more formidable when he is in the lineup.