Smith had 11 solo tackles in Sunday's 23-0 loss to the Colts.

EDGE Analysis

It's the first time since Week 6 that Smith reached double-digit tackles, though he had reached nine tackles in three separate games. The 23-year-old ranks second on the team with 107 combined tackles, and also has four sacks and two forced fumbles through 14 games.

Smith had nine tackles (six solo) in Thursday's 13-10 win over the Saints.

EDGE Analysis

Smith and rookie Leighton Vander Esch -- 19 combined tackles Thursday -- continue to lock to lock down the middle of the Cowboys defense. The 23-year-old is second on the team with 87 tackles (58 solo), and has four sacks and two forced fumbles in 12 games.

Smith had six solo tackles, a sack and a forced fumble in Thursday's 31-23 win over the Redskins.

EDGE Analysis

Smith had a strip-sack of QB Colt McCoy on the Redskins' first drive of the afternoon, and although it didn't result in a recovery for the Cowboys, it did force a punt. The 23-year-old is second on the team with 78 tackles (52 solo) and ranks third with four sacks.

Smith posted 12 tackles (six solo) and a sack in Sunday's 19-16 loss to the Texans.

EDGE Analysis

Smith played 99 percent of the team's defensive snaps and his 12 tackles bested everyone except rookie Leighton Vander Esch. His sack of Deshaun Watson was Dallas' only sack of the night, as the pass rush, though consistent, repeatedly failed to contain Houston's quarterback. The 23-year-old linebacker has accumulated 41 tackles and three sacks so far in 2018.

Smith recorded eight tackles (four solo), including a sack in Sunday's loss to the Seahawks.

EDGE Analysis

Smith's sack gives him two on the year, besting his total from 2017. Fellow starting linebacker Sean Lee (hamstring) could be out for multiple games, meaning that Smith will be the team's top linebacker. He'll aim to come out strong once again as the Cowboys host the Lions in Week 4.

Smith racked up a team-leading 10 tackles in Sunday night's win over the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

His huge hit on Eli Manning in the red zone will make a lot of Cowboys' highlight reels at the end of the 2018 season, but in the here and now Smith's IDP is soaring. He has 14 tackles, including a sack, through two games to Sean Lee's nine, and it looks like the torch is being passed as the leader of the Dallas defense to the younger linebacker.

Smith hopes to play without a knee brace in 2018, Kate Hairopoulos of Sports Day Dallas News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smith recently parted ways with an AFO foot brace that had been used as part of his broader recovery process. Even if he's stuck with the brace when Week 1 kicks off, the mere notion that we're discussing the possibility of a brace-free Smith is encouraging. The former Notre Dame standout is stacked full of potential, but only time will tell if he's ready to breakout in 2018.

Smith is no longer wearing an AFO brace on his drop foot, Clarence Hill Jr. of The Forth Worth Star-Telegram reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smith had been wearing the brace to stabilize his foot as he worked his way back through recovery from his knee injury and nerve damage. He hasn't been wearing the brace at all during the offseason, a sign of his continually improving health since his knee injury in January of 2016.

Smith may shift to strong-side linebacker in the Cowboys' base defense after the team used a first-round pick on Boise State product Leighton Vander Esch, Kristi Scales of The Dallas Morning News reports.

EDGE Analysis

The draft pick hints at a lack of confidence regarding Smith's ability to handle a full-time role, though Sean Lee's lengthy injury history may have been just as large of a factor. The Cowboys likely envision Vander Esch as a direct replacement for Anthony Hitchens, who signed with the Chiefs in March after operating as a three-down middle linebacker for the Cowboys throughout much of 2017. Despite notching 81 tackles and two forced fumbles on only 575 defensive snaps last season, Smith may find himself watching from the sideline while Lee and Vander Esch take the field in the Cowboys' nickel defense. Of course, it won't come as any surprise if Smith puts up a major fight, considering he was an even better prospect than Vander Esch prior to suffering a career-threatening knee injury during the Fiesta Bowl in January 2016.

Smith could serve as the full-time middle linebacker this upcoming season, Jon Machota of The Dallas Morning News reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 2016 second-round pick sat out his entire rookie season while recovering from a major knee injury that caused nerve damage in his leg. He then worked in a part-time role for the majority of last season, with Sean Lee and Anthony Hitchens getting most of the snaps when the Cowboys used their nickel defense. Smith nonetheless managed to pile up 81 tackles, two forced fumbles and a sack in 16 games, likely setting him up for a larger role in 2018 after Hitchens signed with the Chiefs. A three-down role still shouldn't be taken for granted, considering Smith struggled in coverage last season and may never fully regain the elite athleticism he displayed at Notre Dame. The Cowboys could even move Smith to strong-side linebacker -- which likely would mean a two-down role -- if they procure a viable alternative for the inside job. Smith will be an intriguing IDP option if emerges from training camp with an every-down gig.