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The Cowboys' decision to spend a second-round pick on Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith came with considerable risk attached. Due to nerve damage in Smith's knee, his future in the NFL wasn't just questioned, it came under attack, with one general manager telling ESPN's Ed Werder there's a 50-percent chance Smith will never play a single down in the NFL.

On Tuesday, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones provided an update on Smith's knee. Speaking with 105.3 The Fan, a CBS Sports Radio station, Jones didn't reveal when exactly he expects Smith to regain his full health, but he did give some good news.

Smith is not "off plan at all."

"His progress is really undetermined. But that was to be expected. He is not off plan at all. The rejuvenation of the nerve that would help him get in position to actually hit the playing field is not complete, but it is not behind," Jones said. "It was to be expected."

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Jaylon Smith has been forced to watch practice instead of participating. USATSI

In Werder's report last month, he mentioned how the Cowboys were optimistic he'd have a 10-year career. Based on Jones' comments on Tuesday, that still hasn't changed.

"Our doctors are not dismayed at all. I'm not. It's the type of thing that could really come around," Jones said. "And if it comes around, then we'll take advantage of it and he's such an impact player that we would try to get him on the field."

Unfortunately for the Cowboys, they need a new middle linebacker immediately, at least for the first 10 games of the upcoming season when Rolando McClain will be sidelined with a suspension. And Jones' comments definitely don't indicate Smith is on pace to complete a miraculous recovery in time for the regular season.

Smith might end up being the steal of the draft -- he was a top-five talent before his injury -- but for a team constantly in win-now mode, a redshirt season might end up proving costly in the short term. Of course, the Cowboys refuse to place Smith on injured reserve, which means he could return for the team's playoff run.

Considering all of the suspensions the Cowboys are facing on defense -- Randy Gregory and DeMarcus Lawrence will miss the first four games -- that playoff statement seems like less of a guarantee and more like wishful thinking.