With Jaylon Smith on hold, brother Rod Smith ready for HOF game

While little brother Jaylon Smith has dominated talk at Dallas Cowboys training camp, big brother Rod Smith has quietly has quietly made a move up the depth chart and turned some heads himself.

Jaylon Smith is the 2016 second-round pick who the Cowboys hope can return from a devastating knee injury and be the savior on defense.

The former Notre Dame linebacker remains on hold as the team continues to be cautiously deliberate with him.

Rod Smith, the former Ohio State running back, will be the brother making the much-anticipated debut before family and friends in Thursday's Hall of Fame game against the Arizona Cardinals.

Friends will make the drive from Columbus, Ohio, and family will be there from their hometown of Fort Wayne, Ind.

"They are going to see both of us after the game, but they are coming to watch big bro," Rod Smith said. "We got a lot of family coming. I very excited to be back in Ohio. I got roots there, going to Ohio State. I'm very excited for the game."

Rod Smith sees the game as a big chance to finally show what he can do and build on what has been a great start to training camp.

Smith is most excited about finally getting a chance to play after being limited in five years at Ohio State, being pegged as a special teams performer his first two years in the NFL, even being asked to move to fullback last year in Dallas.

The Cowboys moved him back to running back in the off-season and he has seemingly taken off. He's ahead of veteran Alfred Morris as the No. 3 back behind starter Ezekiel Elliott and No. 2 Darren McFadden because of his ability to play special teams and the running talents that had him as the star of the family before little brother Jaylon became a national sensation at Notre Dame.

"I haven't had a chance like this to show what I can do since high school," Rod Smith said. "I'm up for the challenge. It's a big chance for me. Everybody wants to know about Jaylon. They are not worried about me too much. I just try to go out there and compete. My teammates know what I can do. It's time for me to show everybody else."

This story was originally published August 2, 2017 at 6:09 PM with the headline "With Jaylon Smith on hold, brother Rod Smith ready for HOF game."