The Dallas Cowboys are 9-1 this season, and they've been carried to that record in large part by the performances of two star rookies. First-round pick Ezekiel Elliott looks like one of the best running backs in the NFL, while fourth-rounder Dak Prescott played so well during Tony Romo's injury-related absence that he forced the 10-year incumbent starter to the bench.
The Cowboys' rookie class could be even better, but they've gotten nothing out of second-round pick Jaylon Smith. Dallas knew that would be the case going into the season, as they drafted Smith -- who was at one point considered a top-five prospect -- near the top of the second round despite knowing that nerve damage in his knee would likely keep him out the entire 2016 season, if not longer. (He injured the knee in Notre Dame's bowl game last year. His surgery was coincidentally performed by the Cowboys' team doctor.)
Now, Dallas will activate Smith off the non-football injury list, Cowboys executive vice president and COO Stephen Jones said in a radio interview Monday. The move comes just ahead of Tuesday's deadline by which players have to be activated off the NFI list if they want to play at all this season.
Once Smith is activated, the Cowboys will have three weeks to put him on the game-day roster or he will not be eligible to play the rest of the season. Jones cautioned that he does not think anything will change for Smith even after being activated.
"That doesn't mean anything will change with Jaylon in terms of his routine," Jones said, per the Dallas Morning News. "I don't actually see him [returning to the field], even though he's eligible to practice -- just to extend your period. If we weren't to activate him, then they would certainly be done if they don't start practicing."
It seems far more likely that we see Smith make his NFL debut in 2017 at the earliest, but it's notable that this move does give him a chance to play in 2016 if the Cowboys feel he is up to it.
