Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith will make his long-awaited NFL debut when his team takes on the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones confirmed the news Tuesday evening.
Jerry Jones just confirmed Jaylon Smith will play Saturday vs. Indy
— Nick Eatman (@nickeatman) August 16, 2017
Smith, a second-round pick out of Notre Dame back in 2016, missed his entire rookie season after suffering a serious knee injury in Notre Dame’s Fiesta Bowl loss to Ohio State.
Smith’s injury was so severe that there was some thought given to the idea that he might never see the field again. But after an extensive rehab, the former top college recruit will be on an NFL field for the first time this upcoming weekend.
Smith was a likely top-five pick in the 2016 NFL Draft before suffering a knee injury that included nerve damage. It’s definitely been a long road back. It will also be interesting to see how he looks after not seeing live-game action in over 19 months.