27 Facts About Jaylon Smith

1. Jaylon Smith recently parted ways with an Ankle Foot Orthosis foot brace that had been used as part of his broader recovery process from the career-threatening knee injury he suffered in his final collegiate game with Notre Dame in January 2016.

2. Jaylon Smith hopes to play without a knee brace during the 2018 season, Kate Hairopoulos of The Dallas Morning News reports.

3. Jaylon Smith racked up a team-leading 10 tackles in Sunday night's win over the Giants.

4. Jaylon Smith played 99 percent of the team's defensive snaps and his 12 tackles bested everyone except rookie Leighton Vander Esch.

5. Jaylon Smith making his return this season was just the beginning.

6. Jaylon Smith missed all of the 2016 season for the Cowboys, but made his debut in 2017.

7. Jaylon Smith stretched his peroneal nerve, which left him with a foot drop.

8. Jaylon Smith actually started off as a defensive end in his high school career.

9. Jaylon Smith is still readjusting to having his old athleticism back, and figuring out how best to use it in the NFL.

10. Jaylon Smith said he's never met Howley but would like to do so soon.

11. Jaylon Smith said after the Cowboys drafted him in 2016 he studied some of the franchise's defensive greats who played linebacker before him.

12. Jaylon Smith choosing to honor Howley first seems fitting considering that Howley wore uniform No 54 and overcame a career-threatening knee injury early in his career.

13. Jaylon Smith said he has something planned to honor Howley before the Cowboys play Washington but wouldn't say what he'll do.

14. Jaylon Smith has 'cool' plans to honor a Cowboys defensive great in what he hopes becomes a Thanksgiving tradition.

15. Jaylon Smith had a strip-sack of QB Colt McCoy on the Redskins' first drive of the afternoon, and although it didn't result in a recovery for the Cowboys, it did force a punt.

16. Jaylon Smith had a strip-sack of QB Colt McCoy on the Redskins' first drive of the afternoon, and although it didn't result in a recovery for the Cowboys, it did.

17. Jaylon Smith entered training camp slated as the starting middle linebacker after Anthony Hitchens departed for the Kansas City Chiefs during free agency.

18. In Week 7, Jaylon Smith was demoted to backup middle linebacker after Anthony Hitchens returned from injury.

19. Jaylon Smith remained as the starting middle linebacker in Weeks 4 and 5 after Anthony Hitchens was moved to outside linebacker to fill in for an injured Sean Lee.

20. On June 7, 2017, Jaylon Smith participated in drills for the first time in front of media since his torn ACL and MCL.

21. Jaylon Smith was operated on by the Dallas Cowboys' doctor, Dan Cooper.

22. Jaylon Smith attended a pre-draft visit with the San Francisco 49ers.

23. On January 11, 2016, Jaylon Smith released a statement through Twitter announcing his decision to forgo his remaining eligibility and enter the 2016 NFL Draft.

24. Prior to his injury in the Fiesta Bowl, Jaylon Smith was projected to be the first overall pick in the upcoming 2016 NFL Draft.

25. On January 11, 2016, Jaylon Smith announced he would forego his remaining eligibility and enter the 2016 NFL draft.

26. In 2013, Jaylon Smith won the starting DOG linebacker position beating out Ben Councell, after incumbent starter Danny Spond had to retire due to migraine issues.

27. Jaylon Smith signed his letter of intent on February 6, 2013 and committed to attend and play football at the University of Notre Dame.