The Cowboys opened the practice window for linebacker Jaylon Smith earlier this week, creating optimism that the highly touted second-round pick could play this year.
The reality is, he will not. Nor will he practice.
By activating Smith off the non-football injury list this week, Dallas was merely keeping its options open for the do-it-all linebacker from Notre Dame who is trying to recover from a brutal knee injury. The nerve damage he suffered means no one actually knows when he'll return to the field.
According to a source with knowledge of his physical state, Smith is still waiting for his nerve to fire.