Report: Cowboys' Smith won't play or practice this season

Jaylon Smith's first taste of NFL action will reportedly have to wait until at least next season.

The Dallas Cowboys' highly touted rookie won't play or practice at all this year, despite being activated from the non-football injury list Monday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Smith is still working his way back from a significant knee injury suffered in the final game of his Notre Dame career.

Moving to the active roster appeared to be a promising sign for his chances of getting on the field in some capacity this season but, as Rapoport adds, the young linebacker is awaiting progress related to the nerve damage sustained.

The target date for Smith, as has been the expectation since evaluations of the knee injury pushed him from a potential top-five selection to the second round, should be some point during the 2017 campaign or beyond.

Dallas will remain patient in the meantime, continuing to hold out hope that the draft-day gamble pays off and lands them an elite-level talent at a relative bargain price down the road.

Smith was among college football's most dominant defenders for his final two seasons in South Bend, racking up 226 tackles, including 18 for a loss, and 4.5 sacks.