Report: Teams believe Jaylon Smith is out for 2016
According to Ian Rapoport, NFL teams believe that top linebacker prospect Jaylon Smith could miss the 2016 season.
Former Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith is heading into the NFL Draft with many concerns over his knee and leg. After a nasty injury in the Fiesta Bowl, Smith suffered a critical injury at a terrible time for his draft stock. With his ability to play sideline to sideline, many saw him as the best linebacker in college before he ended up injured.
Heading into the combine, Smith was on hand to answer questions from team’s about his status and he felt optimistic that he might be able to play this season wherever he ends up. However, it appears that Smith still has some major concerns regarding his health.
According to Ian Rapoport, teams believe that Smith could miss the entire 2016 season with ankle issues and other issues with the nerves in his knee.
Difficult day for #NotreDame LB Jaylon Smith, who had his medicals. Ankle & knee nerve issues, teams believe he's out for 2016 -- at least
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 26, 2016
When Smith blew out his knee in the Fiesta Bowl, he did just about all the damage to his leg that could possibly be done. The thought of him playing this season was already overly optimistic, but now the question is where does Smith end up in the draft?
This could also have a profound effect on college football. Smith was a top prospect coming into the season and blowing out his knee in the last game could have a large financial impact. Will other top players choose to take a year off and train for the draft?
There’s certainly going to be people in their ear telling them to do so and this injury could have a profound effect. Whatever the case may be, Smith is a fantastic linebacker but has a long road ahead of him as he looks to achieve his dream of being a great NFL linebacker.