Dallas Cowboys: Jaylon Smith is a game wrecker

Jaylon Smith’s Recovery

The fact that Jaylon Smith played at all last season was a miracle. Recovery from a damaged nerve is unpredictable. Yet he was able to recover enough to go out and play linebacker. He performed well for what was essentially his rookie year. He recorded 81 tackles, 50 solo tackles, two forced fumbles and one sack.

Smith played all of last season with an ankle-foot orthosis brace or AFO. He needed the AFO to address a condition known as drop foot. Foot drop occurs when, among other things, the peroneal nerve is damaged and the person has trouble lifting the front part of their foot. As a result, the person’s front foot may drag on the ground causing instability and falls.

But this offseason, Smith has been training without the use of an AFO. This is viewed as an excellent sign that his recovery from nerve damage is progressing. If Smith no longer suffers from significant foot drop, then his speed, agility and quickness should improve. This is what seems to have occurred, see the following video:

A more complete recovery from nerve damage resulting in the full or close to full use of his leg would significantly raise the level of Jaylon Smith’s game. The game wrecker from Notre Dame may have finally landed in the NFL.