Cowboys news: Jaylon Smith undergoes offseason surgery
After a down season for Jaylon Smith, the Dallas Cowboys linebacker is hopeful his surgery will help.
In the NFL offseason, it’s common players to rehabilitate their bodies and prepare for the future. For Dallas Cowboys‘ linebacker Jaylon Smith, he’ll be in extensive rest for the foreseeable future.
Smith underwent surgery on Thursday to repair damage in his left wrist. He is expected to make a full recovery and be ready for OTAs this upcoming spring.
Linebacker Jaylon Smith will undergo left wrist surgery Thursday, according to multiple sources. Smith did not miss a game in 2020, leading the Cowboys with 161 tackles. He was on the injury report in Week 16 with a wrist injury but was a full practice... https://t.co/lN4eJ3ap5n
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) January 14, 2021
Smith’s season was met with mixed reviews from the critics. The fifth-year linebacker played in all 16 games, finishing with a team-high in tackles of 161. Smith also tallied 1.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries and an interception for the 6-10 franchise.
This marks the second Cowboys player to undergo surgery this offseason. Wide receiver Amari Cooper underwent a minor ankle operation following the end of the regular season.
Smith and the defense will need an upgrade
Dallas is hoping for better results in 2021. The team will be bringing back head coach Mike McCarthy after a down season and is expected to have Dak Prescott on the roster once again. The team announced the firing of defensive coordinator Mike Nolan and replaced him with former Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn.
Quinn might not be a name most fans wanted after his implosion the last few seasons with Atlanta. As a defensive mind, the former Seahawks coordinator helped the team create the “Legion of Boom” defense with players such as Earl Thomas, Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor and Bobby Wagner.
Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones is hoping for a similar success story down in the Lone Star State for next season.
I know a lot of people don’t like Dan Quinn because of how his career ended in Atlanta, but he’s a very good defensive mind.
— Connor Livesay (@ConnorNFLDraft) January 11, 2021
There’s far worse options out there, and they’ve already interviewed two of them.
Under Nolan, Dallas allowed 29.6 points per game, ranking as the fifth-highest last season. The Cowboys also gave up 158.8 rushing yards per game, second-most among active defenses.
Smith being healthy for the start of the 2021 campaign is vital for the Cowboys’ success.
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