Smith (knee) got the start at middle linebacker in Saturday's preseason game against the Colts and played 12 snaps with the first-team defense, Brandon George of The Dallas Morning News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Anthony Hitchens shifted to the weak side while Sean Lee tended to a slight hamstring strain, opening up the middle for Smith. Seeing his first live game action since suffering a gruesome knee injury in the 2016 Fiesta Bowl, he flashed his upside on both run and pass plays, getting penetration in the backfield and stuffing Jack Doyle on a third-down catch to force a Colts punt. His timing wasn't sharp as he over-ran his target on occasion, but given his long layoff some rust is to be expected. There are still concerns over how fatigue will impact him over a 16-game schedule while wearing a brace to support his lower leg, and whether the brace will disrupt his ability to change direction quickly, but even if he's not 100 percent Smith looks poised to play a significant role in the Cowboys' defense in 2017.

Smith (knee) will play in Saturday's preseason game against the Colts, David Helman of the Cowboys' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smith's return to game action has been a longtime coming, as he's now more than 18 months removed from the knee injury that pushed him out of the first round of the 2016 draft and sidelined him his entire rookie season. The team may still ease him into game action, but him seeing any time will be a major step in the right direction as he looks to play a large role for the defense in 2017 and beyond.

Smith (knee) is closing in on a return to game action, Drew Davison of the Star-Telegram reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smith's year long battle with a knee injury looks to be on the cusp of a final chapter. The 22-year-old has been excelling in training camp and is eager to show his skills in a preseason game. The Cowboys are hoping Smith will be able to get acclimated to game speed before the regular season rolls around, but either way it's looking like the Notre Dame product is nearing a full return.

Smith (knee) saw action with the first-team defense during Wednesday's practice, the first time he's done so in the NFL, Jon Machota of The Dallas Morning News reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 2016 second-round pick got the opportunity when Anthony Hitchens slid over to the weak side in place of a resting Sean Lee, and he made the most of it, looking fairly smooth in coverage and putting what could have been a big hit on Ezekiel Elliott coming out of the backfield. Smith continues to make impressive strides in his recovery from the knee injury that ended his college career at Notre Dame and sidelined him for his entire rookie season. The Cowboys haven't yet indicated whether Smith will suit up for Saturday's preseason game against the Rams, but he seems ready for his first game action as a pro.

Smith (knee) could see his first game action as a Cowboy in Saturday's preseason game against the Rams, Jon Machota of The Dallas Morning News reports. "I think his baseline health is at a point where he could play, it's just getting him in that football shape and doing things the right way," Cowboys executive VP Stephen Jones said Monday. "I think Jaylon's going to be around here the next 10 years. We don't want to do anything that's not taking care of Jaylon."

EDGE Analysis

The 2016 second-round pick has been able to suit up for five of the team's seven padded practices so far in training camp, a notable improvement from his every-other-day schedule during OTAs and mini-camp. If Smith does play Saturday his snaps will be very limited, but he continues to trend towards a regular-season NFL debut in Week 1 -- and a remarkable comeback from what seemed like a career-threatening knee injury.

Smith (knee) took part in padded practice for the second consecutive day Sunday, the first time he's been able to do so since college, Jon Machota of The Dallas Morning News reports.

EDGE Analysis

He's been working as the second team middle linebacker, but for the most part Smith has looked unhampered by the brace he's wearing on his lower leg as the nerve in his knee continues to regenerate. Smith appears to be on target for a role in the Cowboys defense in Week 1, but whether he's starting -- and how many snaps he can handle -- is still to be determined.

Smith (knee) participated in the Cowboys' padded practice Wednesday, Brandon George of The Dallas Morning News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Wednesday marked Smith's first time in pads since the catastrophic 2016 Fiesta Bowl as well as his first time practicing three days in a row since he was at Notre Dame. When talking to reporters, he proclaimed, "I can't remember the last time I had pain in my knee or my foot. Zero. My knee feels 100 percent. I can hop on one leg." While the Cowboys will likely continue to proceed cautiously with their 2016 second-round draft pick, it's seeming more and more likely he'll be completely ready to go when the regular season rolls around.

Smith (knee) is expected to go through some contact drills during Wednesday's padded practice, Steve Wyche of NFL.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Testing on Smith's knee recently showed further regeneration of the nerves, which was a big step in his recovery. However, there's speculation that Smith is slated to participate in portions of contact drills during Wednesday's practice, which is an indication that everything is going better than planned in his recovery. At this point, it appears Smith is trending towards being full strength by the start of the regular season. That said, the Cowboys did report previously that Smith could be on an every-other-day schedule during training camp, so that will be something to monitor moving forward.

Smith underwent testing on his knee prior to the start of this week's rookie camp that showed further regeneration of the nerves, Brandon George of The Dallas Morning News reports.

EDGE Analysis

He continues to make progress from the knee injury that ended his college career at Notre Dame and kept him off the field as a rookie in 2016, but Smith isn't yet at the point where he can shed the brace supporting his foot and lower leg. The Cowboys are expected to be cautious with the linebacker during training camp, and his actual role in the defense this season should become clearer as the team gets closer to Week 1.

Smith (knee) participated in the Cowboys' rookie camp Wednesday, SportsDay's Kate Hairopoulos reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smith, who missed the entirety of the 2016 season as he recovered from a devastating knee injury, will partake in a rookie camp alongside this year's draft class prior to the official start of training camp next week. The Cowboys simply held meetings and physicals Wednesday, but the plan is for Smith to appear on the practice field Thursday before the veterans arrive Friday. Smith is expected to remain limited throughout training camp after an every-other-day schedule during OTAs, but his condition is improving as Week 1 approaches.