Jaylon Smith Practices in Pads for 1st Time in 19 Months After Knee Injury

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith practiced in pads and without a knee brace for the first time Wednesday since he was selected 34th overall in the 2016 draft, according to The MMQB's Peter King.Smith, who suffered a torn ACL and LCL as well as nerve damage in the 2016 Fiesta Bowl, didn't take a snap last season."We knew Jaylons situation, the first year was going to amount to a redshirt year," Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett said, per ProFootballTalk'sCharean Williams. "We had no expectation hed be able to play, but hes on schedule. Were excited to see him come back."Williams added that Smith will practice every other day at training camp as he continues to work his way back toward 100 percent in anticipation of a 2017 debut.The Cowboys appear to have a set group of starting linebackers in Sean Lee, Anthony Hitchens and Damien Wilson, but Smith should offer reinforcements as a run-stuffing specialist who largely plays a two-down role provided he can stay healthy.For now, though, the focus will be on slowly but steadily bringing the Notre Dame product along so he's ready to go in time for Week 1.
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