Jones: Jaylon Smith's progress 'undetermined,' Cowboys not 'dismayed'

Despite Jaylon Smith suffering a major knee injury in January that was further complicated by nerve damage, the Dallas Cowboys have yet to rule out the possibility of their 2016 second-round pick seeing action in his rookie season.

During an interview Tuesday morning on 105.3 The Fan, however, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones gave little reason to doubt a recent report that stated the linebacker had seen no significant improvement in his knee since the draft and that he'd more than likely be forced to sit out his rookie year.

"His progress is really undetermined," Jones said, according to Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News. "But that was to be expected. He is not off plan at all. The rejuvenation of the nerve that would help him get in position to actually hit the playing field is not complete, but it is not behind. It was to be expected.

"Our doctors are not dismayed at all. I'm not (dismayed). It's the type of thing that could really come around. And if it comes around, then we'll take advantage of it. And he's such an impact player that we would try to get him on the field. In the meantime, he's doing many things that would let you use the word progress. Of course, he has unbelievable work ethic, character, resolve to help the team."

The most realistic scenario for Smith was always aiming to be healthy by the start of the 2017 season.

Smith tore his ACL and MCL during the 2016 Fiesta Bowl, his final game of college football. He was unable to participate in the draft or work out for teams, and the reveal that he'd also suffered nerve damage brought his NFL career into doubt and led to speculation about how far he'd slide in the draft.

Though Smith was a projected top-10 pick before the injury, the Cowboys ended his draft-day fall earlier than most predicted, picking him with the 34th overall selection.