FRISCO -- Dallas Cowboys rookie linebacker Jaylon Smith said Thursday the nerve in his injured leg has started to regenerate and all signs point to him being on the field and participating in offseason practices beginning in May.
Smith, the Cowboys' second-round pick out of Notre Dame, suffered a serious leg injury in his final college game. He was a Top 5 talent who fell to the second round with the likelihood that he wouldn't play his rookie season. Despite no guarantee that Smith's nerve would ever start regenerating, the Cowboys gambled on him anyway.
The Cowboys placed him on the injured reserve list last month, ending his rookie season without ever seeing the field, as the club remained patient waiting for his nerve in his leg to start regenerating. That is happening now, with all signs pointing to him playing in 2017.
"Yeah, it's regenerating," Smith said of his nerve in his left leg. "It's just a thing that you have to have patience. I'm going to continue to do everything I'm asked and controlling what I can control and we're going to take our time with it."
How does Smith know his nerve is regenerating in his leg? Is it because doctors have told him or is it something he's feeling now that he wasn't feeling before?
"Both. Doctors and tests all of that good stuff, feeling," Smith said. "There are things I didn't have before that I'm definitely getting now."
What's that regenerating sensation feel like?
"It feels like it's coming back," Smith said, smiling.
Smith said he's running a 4.5-second 40-yard dash now as most of his speed has returned. He also said his change-of-direction sprinting has been positive.
Smith even says he believes he could have played for the Cowboys in the playoffs.
"I think I could have played and competed at an elite level," Smith said, "but with us coming together and realizing the situation with the nerve coming back, we're going to be patient and trust God's timing."
The focus now for Smith is to improve his motor function, with his body needing to catch up to his nerve starting to fire so that it works in near unison. Right now, Smith's reaction is behind his nerve.
"He's made tremendous progress," Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said Thursday. "It doesn't surprise us one bit."
Smith had surgery early last year to reconstruct his left anterior cruciate ligament and during his recovery dealt with a drop foot condition that has required him to wear a brace. Smith said, however, the brace "is not a limiting factor at all" and if he had played this postseason he could have played with the brace on.
"Me running, now I'm comfortable with the push-off and everything," Smith said, "and I'm getting my linear speed back."
Smith said once his nerve fully regenerates he shouldn't need to wear a brace at all.
"I'm doing great," Smith added. "I wish you guys could see."
Smith has maintained a positive demeanor throughout this long recovery. Cowboys coaches were impressed with how upbeat Smith was from the very first time they met him at the NFL scouting combine.
"I've accepted the reality I won't be playing this year," Smith said. "I've come to terms with it. I understand God has a plan. Just having patience. I've been thankful to be on this team and to watch my guys go out there and ball. I support and learn anyway I can."
