Cowboys' Jaylon Smith: Placed on PUP list

Smith (knee) was placed on the active/non-football injury list Friday, Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Analysis:

Smith continues to deal with nerve damage to his left knee, which was an unfortunate side effect of tearing his ACL and MCL in the Fiesta Bowl with Notre Dame on Jan. 1. However, the nature of the injury didn't stop the Cowboys from using a second-round pick on the linebacker during the 2016 NFL Draft. Afterward, executive vice president Stephen Jones acknowledged that he may not play this season, but owner/GM Jerry Jones later wouldn't shut the door on Smith achieving active status late in the season or during the playoffs, if the Cowboys were to earn a berth. In any case, Smith is likely destined for the IR/designated-to-return list to start the season due to his boss' perceived hope.