The Cowboys' decision to take a giant medical risk on linebacker Jaylon Smith early in the second round of this year's draft did not work out this season. Smith will not play, even during the Cowboys' playoff run.
But the Cowboys are still counting on Smith to take on a key role next season. On Friday, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told 105.3 The Fan, a CBS Sports Radio station, that he would be shocked if Smith isn't a key member of the defense in 2017.
"I don't know about percentages," Jones said, according to The Dallas Morning News. "I would be very shocked and surprised if he's not a key part of our defense in 2017."
The problem is that Smith suffered nerve damage in his knee in addition to tearing both his ACL and MCL. In October, Jones described it as "a foot that's gone to sleep and shaking it till it wakes up." At the time, Jones refused to rule out the possibility of Smith making his debut this year, which won't end up happening.
But the good news is that, according to Jones, Smith's "nerve regeneration is something that is coming."
"We're very familiar with his situation, medically," Jones said. "He has shown inordinate, extraordinary aptitude willingness in his rehab process. "
At Notre Dame, Smith blossomed into a top-five draft prospect, but he suffered that catastrophic injury in his final college game. For obvious reasons, his stock fell substantially, but the Cowboys felt he was worth the risk and took him with the 34th-overall pick.
That decision might still pay off. With young centerpieces in Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott on the roster, the Cowboys are poised to be a force even after their 2016 season eventually ends. Now, imagine if they were to add a top-five talent to a defense that is already overachieving (it's ranked fifth in points allowed per game).
The point being, the Cowboys are set up nicely for the future, especially if Smith can make it back onto the field. Due to excellent drafting, they're not a one-hit wonder.
