ST: Stephen Jones: Cowboys LB Jaylon Smith healthy enough to play

[jobberone]

Jaylon Smith is healthy enough to play, executive vice president Stephen Jones said. Michael Owen Baker AP

DALLAS COWBOYS

Stephen Jones: Cowboys LB Jaylon Smith healthy enough to play
BY CLARENCE E. HILL JR.

chill@star-telegram.com
AUGUST 07, 2017 9:35 PM

OXNARD, CALIF.
Dallas Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones calls the presence, play and progress of linebacker Jaylon Smith one of the highlights of training camp so far.

He said Smith’s is healthy enough to play in a game, but the Cowboys will remain painstakingly deliberate in how they bring him along after missing all of last season with a devastating knee injury and nerve damage.

Smith didn’t play in the preseason opener in the Hall of Fame game against the Arizona Cardinals. The team has yet to decide if he will play in the second preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday.

Jones plans on having Smith in a Cowboys uniform for the next 10 years, so they aren’t going to rush him into a game. He said there have been no setbacks and all the arrows are pointing to Smith playing in a game soon.

http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nfl/dallas-cowboys/article165974572.html

 

[jobberone]

More Jaylon. News here is he may not play.

 

[Bullflop]

More Jaylon. News here is he may not play.

It does look that way. It seems Jaylon may be on the brink of getting in on some live action but right now, caution comes first.

 

[Melonfeud]

(Key that old " anticipation"
Catsup commercial tune)
Good news is: plans on having him in a Cowboys uniform for the next 10 years,,, guess I can wait another month.

 

[Bullflop]

(Key that old " anticipation"
Catsup commercial tune)
Good news is: plans on having him in a Cowboys uniform for the next 10 years,,, guess I can wait another month.

Yep, from the way Stephen sounds, he's tempted to let Jaylon get his feet wet now. He can't risk the progress he's already made, only to have a setback. I'm hopeful the trainers will sense when the time is right. It looks like it might happen fairly soon now, though. Baby steps.

 

[Ranched]

What on earth is up with that hairdo of his?! Mercy!

 

[Bullflop]

What on earth is up with that hairdo of his?! Mercy!

LOL -- I dunno what to tell ya. Could it be the latest thing in being a cool dude?

As long as it doesn't adversely affect his play, I suppose I'll go along with it.

 

[Melonfeud]

But just think how really tall his custom made Cowboy's helmet is gonna be!
I really prefer seeing uniformity,but maybe that's just me,,,idk?

 

[Brickman2]

I like the way he is being brought back cautiously. I know we are all excited to see him in a game but remember these are preseason games. He is going to be a stud for our defense!!

 

[Silver N Blue]

More Jaylon. News here is he may not play.

At least we have some rays of sunshine in the clouds of this Zeke mess

 

[robjay04]

Yeah I don't get why people feel the need to be pessimistic and say otherwise.

I can think of a single time in history where we had a player regularly participating in practice including contact drills if he is too injured to play in the game.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I understand the cautionary aproach. But he should get a few snaps. Even if it's only 8-10 plays. Live action can't be duplicated and it's been a long time since he has seen any.

 

[Longboysfan]

Hopefully no special teams play.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

But just think how really tall his custom made Cowboy's helmet is gonna be!
I really prefer seeing uniformity,but maybe that's just me,,,idk?

 

[Alexander]

I like the way he is being brought back cautiously. I know we are all excited to see him in a game but remember these are preseason games. He is going to be a stud for our defense!!

At some point he needs to knock off the rust though.

I understand keeping him out of the HoF game. But at some point in the preseason, he needs to record snaps. Can't keep him in bubble wrap forever.

 

[CATCH17]

He's moving around in the drills so well that it's kinda becoming a non-issue for me until we see him in one of these games.

He's going to play at some point pretty soon and in the training camp twitter clips we get he is moving around great.

 

[Aven8]

At some point he needs to knock off the rust though.

I understand keeping him out of the HoF game. But at some point in the preseason, he needs to record snaps. Can't keep him in bubble wrap forever.

This ^^^

Are we saving our secret weapon for the Gents?? Dude hasn't played football in 2 years!

 

[Teague31]

Can and will are two entirely different things

 

[kevm3]

Get him out there. Dude has been out of football a year and a half or so. He needs to start getting his reps in. You can be cautious with him to the extent that you are getting him out on the field without ruining him. He needs his live experience.

 

[The Natural]

How do we expect him to play in the season if we dont let him get some reps in these games? I dont get it, if he's healthy enough to play throw the kid out there and let him rumble.