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Could Cowboys receive surprise contribution from injured college star linebacker?
Even if the Dallas Cowboys got nothing else from their 2016 draft class other than Ezekiel Elliott and Dak Prescott, it would still go down as one of the best rookie talent hauls the team has had in forever.
But if second-round linebacker Jaylon Smith ever can overcome the serious knee injury that ended his final season at Notre Dame and cause him to slide in the draft, he could make this class truly special and rare. Many felt he was a top-five talent in the 2016 draft class before suffering the injury, and he easily could have slid a lot farther in the draft for medical concerns had the Cowboys not selected him.
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The Cowboys are open to the idea giving Smith a chance to ramp up his activity this week with a move some thought wouldn’t come this season, per ESPN.com. Cowboys executive vice President Stephen Jones said they’re pondering activating Smith from the non-football injury list, which at least gives him a chance to practice this season before reassessing his health going forward.
NFL rules state that once Smith is activated, he would have a three-week practice window in which he could work out with the team. Is it possible that Smith, who shredded his knee (ACL and MCL) in the Fiesta Bowl in January, is ready to go? The fear at the time was that he might have suffered permanent nerve damage, but this consideration at least offers hope that he one day could play.
The Cowboys also are likely to activate running back Darren McFadden.
This is still likely to be a procedural move with Smith, as failing to activate him effectively ends his 2016 season, and that he most likely won’t do much until OTAs or training camp next year. But it’s also a sign that is encouraging for a player who went ahead of Myles Jack in the draft and who could make this group special if he ever gets fully healthy and back to football.
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Eric Edholm is a writer for Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at edholm@yahoo-inc.com or follow him on Twitter!
