After a five-year absence from the league, former All-Pro defensive end Aldon Smith is now ready for a comeback season. The former Missouri Tiger will look to open a new chapter of his career this time with the Dallas Cowboys.

Newly-acquired head tactician Mike McCarthy is liking what he's seeing from Smith thus far:

“He looks great. He's probably about 20 pounds bigger than when I last saw him play for the 49ers. Very powerful. His length is extraordinary,” McCarthy said, via Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News. “He made a play in the team period on a screen you don't see every day — that's for sure.

“He's off to a great start. I mean, he's hit the target in every phase that we gone through, particularly in the strength and conditioning.”

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Smith is expected to enter an already-stacked defensive line which features two-time Pro Bowler DeMarcus Lawrence, veteran Tyrone Crawford, and the newly-acquired Everson Griffen. Sophomore Joe Jackson, sixth-round pick Bradlee Anae, and potentially Randy Gregory, who is still waiting for his official reinstatement, could also be in the mix.

Smith last saw action during the 2015 season with the then-Oakland Raiders.  The NFL issued Smith a 1-year suspension due to his hit-and-run on August 6, 2015. On October 27, 2016, Smith applied for reinstatement. However, no reinstatement occurred, resulting in Smith sitting out the entire 2016 and 2017 NFL seasons.

On May 26, 2020, Smith was conditionally reinstated by the NFL and was cleared to participate in the Cowboys' off-season program. He will need to continue to do the right things for him to be able to earn a spot in the team's defensive rotation.  It will only be a matter of time until we see the Aldon Smith of old back on the gridiron.