Cowboys place injured rookie Jaylon Smith on reserve/NFI list

Rookie linebacker Jaylon Smith is not expected to play this season, although Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones hasn’t closed the door completely on that idea.

But Smith won’t be eligible to return for at least the first six weeks. The Cowboys placed him on the reserve/non-football injury list Tuesday, a move necessitated with rosters trimmed to 75.

The Cowboys also played tight end James Hanna on reserve/PUP and quarterback Kellen Moore on reserve/injury.

Smith’s designation should come as no surprise as he’s expected to take a “redshirt” this season. He continues to rehab after tearing two ligaments and sustaining nerve damage in his knee last January while playing for Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl.

“Day by day, the feeling is getting so much better,” Smith said on Tuesday. “I’m able to do a lot more. I’m actually running now, doing some football things, linebacker drills and things like that.”

Smith said he thinks he’s on schedule even though there is no real timetable for his recovery. He said the nerve and knee are improving as expected.

“It’s a time thing,” Smith said. “There’s no rush. … It’s about keeping a positive attitude. I believe speaking positive language into my subconscious mind helps. Helps a lot.”

By being on the reserve/NFI list, Smith is not eligible to practice until Oct. 17. The Cowboys would then have to make a decision whether to activate him to the 53-man roster or move him to injured reserve by Nov. 28.

In other moves to trim the roster to 75, the Cowboys waived offensive linemen Mike McQueen and Dan Buchholz, and receivers Richard Mullaney and Rodney Smith. Defensive back Arjen Colquhoun and linebacker Henoc Muamba were waived/ injured.

This story was originally published August 30, 2016 at 11:02 PM with the headline "Cowboys place injured rookie Jaylon Smith on reserve/NFI list."